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Church protests against ‘police invasion’ of plot

Staff writer                                                                             

The Arusha Arch-diocese of the Catholic Church is protesting against the alleged police invasion of a plot formerly owned by St.Theresa Parish.

The matter  has already reached the desk of the Arusha Regional Commissioner, Daniel Ole Njoolay, who has ordered the construction which had started at the plot  to stop.

The open space between the Regional Police headquarters and Naura Primary School used to be  the playground  for the school pupils until recently when the police started constructing permanent buildings.

Members of the St.Theresa Church have also expressed their fear that, if the plot development is left to go on, then it will block the way leading to the  parish. . Catholic Archbishop, Josephat Louis Lebulu said he will personally make sure that the grounds gets stored back to the school, since playgrounds are vital for the children.

Meanwhile the police have  towed  faulty vehicles formerly parked at the district police yard and piled them at the controversial plot.

“It is now very dangerous for children to play here,” said Bishop Lebulu whose Parish had donated the plot to the school in the early sixties when Naura primary school used to be under the Catholic Diocese before nationalization.

The Arusha Municipal Council is alleged to have issued the police with the permit to develop the plot although according to Archbishop Lebulu, the council had also promised to give the plot to the church as long as the Parish finds another piece of land for the Naura school.

Neither the Municipal Director, Noah Mwaikuka nor the Regional Police Commander, James Kombe were immediately  available for comment.

Last modified: July 12, 2002.
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