Be ambassadors for safety, health – councillors told

DODOMA: PERMANENT Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Eng Cyprian Luhemeja, has told ward councillors to be ambassadors for safety and health in projects implemented at their wards in order to protect the workforce.

Eng Luhemeja made the statement when closing training on safety and health at workplaces organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) for ward councillors and Special Seats MPs in Dodoma Region.  The training went along with health checkup.

“Dodoma Region currently has many projects implemented by the government including construction, water and road projects. This shows that there is a need to put in place strong systems for protecting a worker against risks of diseases and accidents that may occur during the projects implementation,” he said.

He also directed the OSHA to extend the training programme to other places in order to ensure workers are safe all the time when carrying out their duties.

On her part, Special-Seat MP, Ms Fatma Toufiq, who is chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare and Development, said the training came at the right time because many projects are being implemented at several places in Dodoma Region.

“I congratulate the councillors for attending this training. I hope that when you go back to your areas you will be good OSHA ambassadors for the wellbeing of the workers,” she said.

Speaking as chairperson of all councillors in Dodoma Region, Ms Mwanaharusi Bata commended OSHA for running the training programme, pledging that they would put into action the education they acquired.

On her part, OSHA’s Chief Executive Officer Khadija Mwenda, said the aim of the training was to educate the councillors over duties of the authority so that they could align them with projects implemented at their wards.

“This training is part of directives by the Prime Minister’s Office and we will ensure that the programme continues and reaches different groups,” Ms Mwenda assured.