22bn/ to take forensic investigations high-tech
THE State has allocated 22bn/- for the Government Chemists Laboratory Authority (GCLA) to purchase modern equipment.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday on the GCLA development plans and strategies, Chief Government Chemist, Dr Fidelice Mafumiko said the new equipment will make it one of the world’s class analytical laboratory for executing health, social well-being and environmental interventions.
Elaborating, Dr Mafumiko said the authority was striving to improve the wellbeing of the citizens and the environment in general.
He noted that with the government’s support, they will purchase the state- of-the- art equipment to be installed in Dodoma, which apart from drawing services closer to the community; it will be the number one centre for laboratory analysis of samples and exhibits related to forensic sciences.
“It will facilitate forensic investigations and hence assurance of justice and rule of law, analysing samples related to agricultural and industrial produce to ascertain safety and quality as well as those related to paternity or sex identification in order to address society concerns,” he said.
The Chief Chemist noted that the equipment to be purchased in the 2022/23 financial year will also enhance scientific research through analytical laboratory tests as well as on samples related to environmental and occupational health for the protection of health and the environment.
Besides being cost effective laboratory, it will also provide quality and regulatory services to the government, institutions, private sector and the general public with the purpose of safeguarding human health, environment and for execution of justice.
With a number of promotions and awareness, he said, the public is now going for services offered by the laboratory, especially on chemical management, transportation and registration willingly unlike in the previous days.
For improved efficiency, he said, the government has been improving the working infrastructures, which have made it possible to fast-track hearing of cases through quick dispensation of evidence needed in criminal cases in various courts, thus being key partner in justice dispensation.
He said much as the authority keeps striving for clients’ confidentiality in their duties, accuracy and professionalism especially in DNA, paternity or sex identification remains crucial and pertinent.
Equally, he assured that the authority will regulate and control chemical business and its use especially home based and industrial for human and environmental safety assurance.
Currently, he said, to fast track service delivery and revenue collection, the authority has heavily invested on the use of the information and communication technology (ICT), including going for a number of e-system in place like e-Office System and Government Electronic Payment Gateway to help get rid of paper work.
