DAR ES SALAAM: THE government is strengthening environmental management through improved policies, legal reforms and initiatives aimed at safeguarding the country’s natural resources.
Zanzibar’s Second Vice-President, Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, made the remarks on behalf of the Vice-President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi, during the climax of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.
He said the government is prioritising the promotion of clean energy use and is working to transform NEMC into a fully-fledged environmental authority to enhance its effectiveness.
Mr Abdulla noted that significant measures have already been taken to address the impacts of unsafe energy use, including the implementation of the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy, which seeks to ensure that 80 per cent of Tanzanians use clean cooking energy by 2034.
“This initiative will protect public health, preserve the environment and improve the overall quality of life for citizens,” he said.
He further said the government is strengthening national climate change response plans, including resilience strategies aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to cope with climate impacts in key sectors such as water, agriculture, health, energy and infrastructure.
To combat environmental degradation, the government is also implementing nationwide tree-planting campaigns targeting the planting of 1.5 million trees in each local council.
The initiative aims to increase forest cover, protect water sources, restore degraded land and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Mr Abdulla underscored the importance of regional and international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges, noting that Tanzania continues to work with neighbouring countries and regional institutions to manage shared resources, protect ecosystems and implement international environmental agreements.
He called for collective action, urging government institutions, civil society organisations, the private sector and the public to translate commitments into practical action in order to curb environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng Hamad Yussuf Masauni, described NEMC as a key institution in enforcing environmental policies, laws and systems to ensure that national development goes hand in hand with environmental conservation and sustainable use of resources.
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He said the ministry is committed to addressing challenges facing NEMC, expressing optimism that, in the next 40 years, cities will become cleaner and waste will increasingly be transformed into economic opportunities. Engineer Masauni added that the government’s goal is to ensure widespread adoption of clean cooking energy while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all citizens.
He noted that the ministry’s vision aligns with the Development Vision 2050, which identifies environmental conservation and climate resilience as key pillars of economic growth.
Earlier, NEMC Director General, Dr Immaculate Semesi, said the council continues to provide public education on environmental conservation and promote the use of safe and clean energy.
She said the 40th anniversary celebrations also marked the launch of a nationwide tree-planting campaign targeting government institutions and primary schools with the aim of instilling environmental conservation values among young learners.
Dr Semesi added that NEMC is improving service delivery to citizens and investors by strengthening the use of technology in environmental management, permit monitoring, data collection and public awareness.