CHALAMILA: Standards are the foundation of health, business, and a strong economy
DAR ES SALAAM: The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Albert Chalamila, has said that adherence to standards in the production of goods and services is essential for protecting public health, promoting business growth, strengthening local industries, and building a sustainable national economy.
Chalamila made the remarks during the “Viwango Marathon” organized by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) as part of the institution’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
He explained that the event carried a broad message touching on public health, social unity, institutional responsibility, and national development.
He said the marathon was not just an ordinary celebration, but a visionary initiative designed to engage the public in a creative way while educating citizens on the importance of standards in their daily lives.
“The organization of the Viwango Marathon is a major innovation aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of standards while also promoting health and national unity. Without standards, we cannot build a strong and sustainable economy,” Chalamila said.
He further noted that the industrial and business sectors cannot thrive without strong standards that protect the health and safety of citizens and enable fair competition in international markets.
Chalamila also encouraged manufacturers, traders, and citizens to use products approved by TBS, while urging marathon participants to become ambassadors for promoting the use of quality-certified products within families, businesses, and society at large.
In addition, he stressed that the government would continue improving the enabling environment for institutions such as TBS so they can perform their duties more effectively and support local industries in producing goods that meet international market standards.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the TBS Board, Prof. Othman Chande, said that over the past 50 years, TBS has continued fulfilling its core mandate of developing and overseeing standards aimed at protecting consumer health and safety, ensuring fairness in trade, and enhancing the competitiveness of Tanzanian products in both local and international markets.
Through these efforts, TBS has become an important institution in the development of Tanzania’s industrial and commercial sectors while supporting government initiatives to build an industrial economy.
Meanwhile, the Director General of TBS, Dr. Ashura Katunzi, said the event also aligns with the TBS Strategic Plan, particularly in promoting the wellbeing of employees and communities, including combating non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease caused by inactive lifestyles.
“We believe that good health is a national asset, and a healthy worker is the foundation of productivity, innovation, and quality service delivery,” she said.
The marathon carried the slogan “Quality for Every Step, Safety for Every Stride.”
According to her, the slogan conveys a powerful message that every step of development requires quality, and every journey in life requires safety. She said this reflects TBS’s commitment to protecting and improving the quality of life for Tanzanians.
