DODOMA: MEMBERS of the Parliament have stressed the need for the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) to be upgraded to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
The MPs expressed their views yesterday in the National Assembly, while contributing to the amendment bill for the Environmental Management Act, Chapter 191, urging the government to introduce a bill that will establish NEMA.
In a report from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment, the committee emphasised that now is the right time for NEMC to transition into an authority, particularly in light of the various environmental challenges facing the country.
Presenting the committee’s report on behalf of the Chairperson, Special Seats MP for Mtwara Region, Agness Hokororo, urged the government to table the Environmental Management Bill in the House, which would elevate NEMC to an authority.
“One of the key things we expect from the government is the introduction of the NEMC bill to transform it into NEMA, alongside the Blue Economy,” said MP Agness.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the committee, Jackson Kiswaga, MP for Kalenga, said that the committee’s goal is to help the government establish a powerful body to oversee environmental management in the country.
“It is the committee’s wish to help equip the government with a robust body,” said MP Kiswaga.
In her contribution, MP for Nyasa Constituency, Engineer Stella Manyanya (CCM) stressed the need for a strong and efficient body to manage environmental matters.
ALSO READ: Kigoma, Mtwara nod to NEMC’s autonomy plea
She recommended that NEMC be upgraded to an authority—NEMA. Nominated MP Professor Shukurani Manya (CCM) also underscored the importance of the government introducing substantial amendments that would enable NEMC to operate as an authority.
“It is the committee’s expectation that, in the next House meeting, a bill will be presented to transform NEMC into an authority,” said Prof Manya.
He further elaborated on the reasons behind the push for NEMC to become NEMA, highlighting several challenges that NEMC is currently unable to address effectively.
These include the illegal use of plastic bags (which were previously banned), waste disposal on beaches and in lakes, environmental disregard in mining activities, noise pollution particularly at night construction near water sources and hills, among other issues.
“These challenges are why the Committee on Water and Environment is advocating for NEMC to become NEMA, so it can more effectively manage the country’s environmental issues,” he said.
In his contribution, MP Professor Patrick Ndakidemi (Moshi Rural—CCM) voiced his full support for the proposal to upgrade NEMC to an authority.
In response to the MPs’ contributions, the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Hamad Yussuf Masauni, assured the House that the government would introduce the Environmental Management Bill in the next parliamentary session, which will include provisions to elevate NEMC to an authority.
This position, backed by the MPs, is also supported by environmental stakeholders who are calling for NEMC to become full authority.
