MOROGORO: NORWEGIAN Ambassador to Tanzania, Ms Toni Tinnes has commended the government’s environmental conservation efforts saying the move is essential for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change and ensuring the long-term well-being of both humans and the planet.
She said the Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and their partners, the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), had been supporting stakeholders through the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF).
Ms Tines who inaugurated several projects financed by Norway in Morogoro Region, said this is a special year for Norway and Tanzania as the duo mark 60 years of friendship.
She was impressed with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, specifically in environmental conservation, hailing her for the recent visit to Norway that cemented even more the bilateral relations.
“We are happy to see great performances of groups through funding channeled through EAMCEF and we have seen a lot of conservation and economic activities reducing forest encroachment,” she said.
EAMCEF Executive Director, Mr Francis Sabuni noted that the arc mountains are pertinent in conserving the environment for betterment of the people and wildlife.
“We execute projects that help people economically as well as conserve nature,” said Mr Sabuni.
He thanked Norway Government for its support worth more than 13m Dollars since 2011, thanking Norway for its support and ongoing friendship.
One of projects launched is ‘Wosia wa Baba Group’s headquarters at Mang’ula, Kilombero District of Morogoro Region.
The group’s secretary, Mr Rexon Mtama, thanked Norway for its support in beekeeping through EAMCEF that also offered training on best practices in beekeeping.
Mr Mrama noted that since 2014 the group has initiated new activities such as fish farming pond, bicycle project, construction of the group headquarters on a kilometre-square plot at a cost of 35m/- through EAMCEF support.
It has since accumulated 4m/= and looks forward for investments. The group has also supported non-members to initiate 14 new groups.
SAGCOT Principle Assistant Director, Ms Tula Mloge, said they support environmental- friendly agriculture, working closely with Norway and Tanzanian government that have signed a contract to enhance agricultural production.
Other inaugurated projects are restaurant and juice making equipment for women group at Udzungwa Mountain National Park that goes by the name Udzungwa Art and Craft Women Group.
Kilombero District Commissioner, Mr Dunstan Kyobya noted that they work closely with EAMCEF, in supporting stakeholders in conserving the environment and putting up new and sustainable economic activities.
EAMCEF supports pupils in planting fruit and shade trees in the district for enhanced tourism activities for the wellbeing of the people.
