Tanga RC pushes for oil spill disaster preparedness
TANGA: TANGA Regional Commissioner, Ambassador Dr Batilda Buriani, has urged regional oil stakeholders to develop a special strategy for enhancing preparedness to manage potential oil spillage disasters, in light of the major developments that bring more ships to Tanga.
The RC made the appeal at the opening of a three-day training on the National Marine Oil Spillage Response Contingency Plan organised by Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation — (TASAC) for stakeholders from Tanga and Zanzibar.
Dr Buriani said that in recent years, Tanga has witnessed significant developments that are now attracting larger ships along the Tanga coastline.
She highlighted several key developments, including the expansion of Tanga Port, which now accommodates larger ships, the near-completion of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and the expansion of the GBP depot, which has become the largest oil storage centre.
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“While these developments bring significant economic opportunities, they also pose considerable risks, making it essential for stakeholders to be fully prepared for potential oil spill disasters,” Dr Buriani said.
She noted that Tanga is now preparing to embark on large-scale seaweed farming, warning that any oil spill disaster could devastate the initiative, along with other seabased activities like tourism and fishing.
Dr Buriani commended TASAC for providing oil spill control equipment but recommended that the resources be consolidated in a central location for more effective use during oil spill emergencies.
During the workshop, TASAC official Engineer Selemani Pazi stressed the importance of major stakeholders, such as EACOP, GBP, Tanzania Ports Authority and hoteliers, forming a unified team that would serve as the backbone of response efforts during oil spill disasters.
He also urged local government councils to develop their own oil spill contingency plans and allocate budgets for the purpose.
