Dar Es Salaam — THE temporary lifting of exporting raw tanzanite has turned into a new twist as stakeholders threaten to call off the gemstone show that was scheduled for Arusha next April.
However, the government through the Ministry of Energy and Minerals has intervened, calling an emergency meeting with the organizers of the event this week in Dar es Salaam to iron out issues that threaten to derail the country's firstever gems show.
Last month, the government lifted the ban temporarily up to June next year allowing the country to thoroughly establish its jewellery and lapidary sector prior to total ban of more than one gram or five carat stones.
A committee member, Mr Sammy Mollel, told the 'Daily News' over the phone from Arusha that there were three to four issues the committee wanted to discuss with the government over the lifting of the ban.
"I cannot tell you if the show is on or off until we deliberate over the ban," Mr Mollel, who is also the Chairman of Tanzania Mineral Dealers Association (TAMIDA), said. He however hinted that there were issues, which if not ironed out might derail the show.
"We want to leverage with the government prior to continuing with the show", he said. The meeting was called on last Friday but the government team leader-the ministry's Permanent Secretary-failed to attend on reasons yet to be known.
Stockholders argue that there was no point of continuing with the show as the buyers will procure the uncut stones at their destinations hence poor attendance. But the government has
maintained that there is no point of imposing the ban and forcing stone dealers to retain the uncut tanzanite while the country's capacity of cutting and polishing is not lacking.
Commissioner of Minerals in the ministry, Dr Peter Kafumu said the period has been agreed to ensure the jewellery and lapidary industry is promoted to the next level to ensure people are not staying with uncut stones for lack of capacity.
However, Mr Mollel faulted the government's move, saying that it contravened with an agreement reached and a gazetted government notice (GN) .
"What was the point of the GN that was gazetted in April while knowing that the ban was to be waived in August?," Mr Mollel said, adding; "We (at TAMIDA) don't like it at all. It's very disheartening."
The move, according to him, would tarnish the effort to add value on the blue-violet stone that is only found in Tanzania amid exporting jobs that were meant for local cutter and polishers. He said the country has jewellery and lapidary capacity.
