Masoko

Frank Kinyongo (TEO)

KILWA MASOKO TOWNSHIP

Brief Introduction of the Organization

Kilwa Masoko Township Authority is located in the Lindi region in Tanzania around 330 km south of Dar es Salaam. Kilwa Masoko Township is a port town on the Indian Ocean in south-eastern Tanzania and it is located at around 8°56′0″S 39°30′45″E. Masoko Township Authority was formerly one of the wards that form 23 wards of the Kilwa District council; in 2008 Masoko town was then upgraded to township authority.

Administratively, Kilwa Masoko Township Authority is divided into 9 hamlets namely Mpara, Lupedile, Mkwanyule, Kisangi, Mchomolo, Mnazi-mmoja, Miembe-miwili, Masoko and Kisiwani. The organization is under the management of Township Executive Officer who is the leader of the organization and is overall responsible to ensure that the organization operates efficiently and effectively, Fisheries Officer who is responsible for all fishing activities, Urban Planner who is responsible for operational land use plans also Office supervisor, Secretary and Office attendant are a part and parcel of Masoko Township Authority.

FUNCTIONS OF MASOKO TOWNSHIP AUTHORITY

• Maintenance of law, order and good governance
• Ensuring effective and equitable delivery of qualitative and quantitative services to the people within their areas of jurisdiction
• Ensuring environmental Cleanness and maintenance 
• Formulation, coordination and supervision of the implementation of all plans for economic, industrial and social development in their areas of jurisdiction.
• Promotion of economic and social welfare of the people in their jurisdiction
•  Monitoring and controlling the performance of duties and functions of the Masoko Township Authority and its staff.
•  Ensuring the collection and proper utilization of the revenues of the Masoko Township Authority
•  Making by-laws applicable throughout their areas of jurisdiction, and considering and improving by-laws made by village Masoko Township Authority within their areas of jurisdiction.
•  Ensuring, regulating and coordinating development plans, projects and programmes of hamlets and township authorities within their areas of jurisdiction.
• Subject to the laws in force, doing all such acts and things as may be done by a people's government.

Ten things to do in Kilwa Masoko Township Authority in Kilwa District 

• Explore the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Visit some Tanzania’s most beautiful beaches especially the Coconut lined at Masoko Pwani.
• Catch your own meal - either sport fishing or with a local fisherman teaching you authentic methods.
• Go further afield and visit the Selous Game Reserve - Tanzania's largest protected area.
• Visit Kilwa Kivinje - once the German administrative capital for the region and now a peaceful fishing village.
• Explore Masoko town a typical relaxed Tanzanian coastal town, filled with friendly people & a bustling market.
• Visit the KIYODEA Research Centre, a local NGO running volunteer experiences & scientific research at their base on Masoko pwani.
• Dive on untouched virgin coral reefs and have a chance to see some of the rarer rays, whale sharks and dolphins.
• Explore the inland waterways and mangrove    forest for hippos, crocs and elusive dugong.
• Feast on the Indian Ocean's greatest seafood - lobster, prawns, octopus, crab & calamari all caught fresh that day.

Challenges Experienced and Challenges Experienced Future Strategies 

         Challenges Experienced

1. Untimely disbursement of funds from the Central Government and Local Authority for implementation of some planned intervention that may lead to late completion of the planned activities.
2. Inadequate number of qualified staff and some staff not interested to work in the district due to un-conducive working environment
3. Low community contributions on development activities.

B).      Future Strategies

1. To request the central government and LGA (Kilwa District Council) to effect timely disbursement of fund that will enable timely completion of the planned undertaking and sources revenue in order to realize adequate funds that will enable completion of planned activities on time.
2. To educate communities on the importance of environmental conservation in development and consolidating community development.
3. To establish favourable legal and economic environment which encourage promotion of related ventures.
4. To ensure that all community development plans and activities are gender sensitive.
5. To ensure that people participate fully in identifying formulation, implementing and evaluating development plans.
6. To establish close and sustainable cooperation between all authorities concerned with community development.
7. Raising community’s advocacy for participation in implementation of projects to ensure that identified projects are sustainable.
8. Ensure cost effective to accommodate price changes.

Kilwa Masoko Township Authority always has high economic growth potentials of preferred destination for foreign direct investment we are continuing improving towards the creation of an enabling environment .Finally, we take this opportunity again to welcome you all at any time in Kilwa Masoko Township Authority. Thank you!  karibu sana!

PREPARED BY

Frank kinyongo

Township executive officer

Kilwa Masoko