Mwinyi calls for joint efforts to address climate change

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has called on ministries responsible for the environment in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to collaborate in finding solutions to emerging environmental and climate change challenges in various parts of the country.

He made the call at the Stone Town-based State House, where he met and had discussions with the Minister of State, Office of the Vice President (Union and Environment), in the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, who was accompanied by some senior executives from her ministry for a familiarization visit.

Dr Mwinyi emphasised the need for authorities from both Zanzibar and Tanzania mainland to focus on reviewing policies, regulations, guidelines, plans, and strategies to manage environmental challenges and climate change together in order to share experiences and find solutions.

“The invasion of saltwater on agricultural areas, water wells, and people’s residences, erosion at the sea beaches, and the shortage/lack of rain, and unexpected rains are problems that affect us and require joint efforts,” Dr Mwinyi said.

He urged the executives from the two ministries responsible for environment and climate change to use international conferences and meetings on the issues to present the challenges facing Tanzania in order to get funding and resources to deal with them.

In addition, he urged them to have collaborative plans starting from the grassroots level for the community to get involved and contribute to finding practical solutions.

“The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has, in various ways, continued to take various efforts to mitigate climate change and minimize the effects of environmental degradation so that people can live peacefully,” said Dr Mwinyi.

In response to Dr Kijaji’s request to back or allow frequent meetings (or at least every month) of executives responsible for climate change and environment from both Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania to meet in Zanzibar and also engage with citizens to give their views on the challenges they face and on Union matters.

Regarding carbon trade (carbon dioxide), Dr Mwinyi asked the executives to cooperate together, conduct public awareness, and capacity building so that the new ‘business’ is well understood.

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Minister Kijaji explained that her ministry has already prepared a team of experts and has started research and writing projects with the aim of presenting them to donors in order to get funds that will help address environmental issues.

She confirmed to the President that the level of damage to the environment, especially the beaches caused by erosion and the invasion of saltwater in agricultural areas, is high, “So joint efforts are needed to deal with the situation.”

Minister Dr Kijaji was appointed to her current position by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, on July 3rd of this year, and she has been in Zanzibar for self-introduction.

Meanwhile, Minister Kijaji, has ordered coordinators and supervisors of various projects under the Vice President’s Office to complete them on time so that they can benefit the citizens.

Dr Kijaji made the remarks recently during her visit to inspect projects coordinated by the Vice President’s Office on Pemba Island.

The projects include the coastal infrastructure improvement project at Sipwese, South Pemba Region as well as the community project that involve building of stairs at Kizimbani shehia, in North Pemba Region.

She urged coordinators and supervisors to effectively manage their assigned projects to ensure quality and the timely completion.

“Our leaders care for us we must honour their efforts by performing our duties diligently,” said Dr Kijaji.

She added that the Sipwese area, where a seawall is being constructed to prevent ocean flooding, erosion has begun to have adverse effects in some areas, causing damage to existing infrastructure such as roads, buildings, homes, and bridges.

“The government is spending more money in this area to contain the situation, I therefore call supervisors and coordinators to ensure value for money and proper implementation of the project,” she said.