Speaker orders list of councils failing malaria directive

DODOMA: THE Speaker of the National Assembly Mussa Zungu has ordered the government to submit a full list of councils that failed to implement a national directive on mosquito control, giving officials until April 8 at 2 p.m. to comply.

Issuing the directive during yesterday’s parliamentary session in Dodoma, the Speaker said firm action will be taken against any local authority that ignored instructions despite the government allocating funds for malaria control.

“By April 8, before 2 p.m., the Clerk’s Office must have received the list of all noncompliant councils. We cannot continue allowing officials to disregard their duties while malaria continues to burden Tanzanians,” he said.

The directive followed a question from Special Seats MP Rose Tweve (CCM), who sought the government’s position on councils that failed to collect larvicidal chemicals from the Kibaha Insecticide Manufacturing Plant for spraying mosquito breeding sites.

She said that during the 2025/26 financial year, the government allocated more than 6.5bn/- for the purchase of the chemicals and directed all 184 councils to collect and deploy them.

However, some councils failed to comply, leaving the supplies in storage at the Kibaha facility.

Responding, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba confirmed the government’s concern and directed the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) to ensure all defaulting councils are identified and take immediate action.

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“It is true there was a clear government directive. The chemicals are available, and they were procured specifically to support councils in implementing mosquito control measures,” he told the House.

He instructed all councils that have not yet collected the chemicals to do so without delay, stressing that by May, every local authority must have taken delivery so that spraying can begin in June, when most regions experience dry conditions suitable for the exercise.

“The fight against malaria cannot be taken lightly. The disease continues to claim Tanzanian lives, particularly affecting women and children,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that the government had already conducted capacitybuilding sessions for council officers and issued a clear spraying schedule aligned with seasonal patterns.

He emphasised that further delays would not be tolerated, as they undermine national efforts to combat malaria and protect public health.