GEITA GOLD MINING LTD CONSTRUCTS CENTRE FOR THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA IN GEITA

GGML Vice President for Sustainability Mr. Simon Shayo.

In its effort to boost higher education sector in Tanzania, Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) has spent a total amount of Sh 100 million in construction of Geita Regional Center of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) through the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

Phase 1 of the project entails construction of the Administration block which consists of a Boardroom, Library, Computer Lab Conference Hall and five office rooms. The amount of money allocated by GGML has been dedicated to procuring construction materials and payment of labor charges. These facilities are expected to benefit 500 Students drawn from 3 Centres of Geita Region including Chato, Nyang’wale and Geita town.

Speaking about that project, GGML Vice President for Sustainability Mr. Simon Shayo said GGML as a Corporate Citizen decided to partner with the government to fund the project because it will not only enhance access to higher education but also bear a positive impact on the social welfare of Tanzania in general by producing competent graduates who will provide the much needed skills add value to the national economy.

The Geita center of the Open University of Tanzania, like many others, has been operating from rented facilities used as Classrooms and administration block.

“With this sponsorship, we are sure that the college will minimize operating costs and improve efficiency. Further it will create a good link between students from Geita and other 30 regional OUT Centers in Tanzania. This project directly helps the Government achieve goal number 4 that is access to quality education, of the sustainable development (SDGs) by 2030 as envisaged”added Mr. Shayo.

Commending GGML’s sustainable mining, the resident Director of the Open University, Mr. Ally Abdu appreciated the Company’s support, saying because it would provide a conducive learning environment and accommodate a bigger number of Open students as compared to the current intake”.

“The University’s vision is to provide relevant, quality, flexible, accessible, and affordable open online education, research and services to the community for the social economic development of Tanzania and the rest of the world. Through GGML support, we are now confident that we are going to minimize our operating costs and improve quality of education at our branch in Geita,” Mr. Ally said.

Following amendment of the Mining Act in 2017, Geita Gold Mining Limited through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative has partnered with the Geita local authorities to execute community projects worth 18.4 Billion Tanzania Shillings in Geita Region.

Prior to the amendments GGML had historically invested in strategic sustainable projects for the community including the state of art Nyankumbu Girls Secondary School, the Geita town clean water supply project and the Kilimanjaro Challenge against HIV/AIDS which has grown to become the biggest private sector led HIV/AIDS initiative in Tanzania.