Dr Nchimbi tasks NEMC to cement union besides environmental conservation

DODOMA: THE National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has held its first working session with the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi, since his appointment.

The meeting aimed to review the responsibilities and implementation of duties by the institutions under his office.

The session, held at the Treasury Hall in Dodoma, brought together management and staff from the Vice President’s Office, NEMC management, and officials from the National Carbon Monitoring Centre.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr Nchimbi said the session served as a reminder of their collective responsibility to Tanzanians—to safeguard the Union and oversee issues of environmental protection and management, especially considering that the third pillar of the 2050 Development Vision focuses on Environmental Conservation, Environmental Management, and Climate Change Resilience.

“The responsibility entrusted to us is enormous—Union matters, environmental protection, and the blue economy are not things to be taken lightly.

 We must support President Samia within one hundred (100) days to implement directives relating to the Union and the Environment. We have a duty to ensure that the environment is managed and protected,” said  Dr  Nchimbi.

He issued the following directives: every public servant must read the ruling party’s manifesto and the 2050 Development Vision, as they form the foundation of government implementation; matters of the Union and Environment, the blue economy, carbon trade, and clean energy must be managed and executed professionally; all implementation targets related to Union and environmental activities must have clear monitoring and follow-up mechanisms to achieve the agreed objectives.

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Additional directives include preparing a communication strategy that will guide how environmental activities are publicized; ensuring compliance with workers’ rights and entitlements; ensuring young people understand the true meaning of the Union and uphold it; and requiring heads of institutions to enforce laws and guidelines in carrying out their duties.

Earlier, while welcoming the Vice President, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, said NEMC needs to be empowered because environmental issues have become numerous, especially pollution of water sources and noise pollution.

“There is nothing that irritates me more than passing by Ocean Road—every time I pass, it is dirty, it smells, garbage is scattered everywhere, and when I ask NEMC, they say they lack teeth,” said  Eng Masauni.

The Permanent Secretary in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Cyprian Luhemeja, also pledged to oversee and implement all directives issued, in collaboration with officials from all institutions under the Vice President’s Office.

The working session was also attended by the Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr Festo Dugange; Deputy Permanent Secretary for Environment, Prof Peter Msoffe; and Deputy Permanent Secretary for Union Affairs, Mr Abdallah H Mitawi.