DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) has seen a significant increase in revenue collection, with a 25 per cent rise over a three-year period.
According to TEAC Director General Prof Lazaro Busagala, the commission’s revenue has grown from 8.7bn/- in the 2020/21 fiscal year to 10.9bn/- in the 2022/23 fiscal year.
He attributed the feat to deliberate efforts by the sixthphase government to establish regional offices at border areas and utilise Information Communication Technology (ICT) systems such as TANCIS, TeSWS, and EDMS in service delivery.
“TAEC is continuing the construction of laboratories and regional offices at various stages to extend services to citizens and stimulate business, economy, health and environmental sectors,” revealed Prof Busagala during a working session between media editors and journalists organised by the Treasury Registrar’s Office in Dar es Salaam.
Prof Busagala expressed his gratitude to the sixth-phase government led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan for the significant achievements resulting from effective policy management in the field of nuclear technology and science.
“The vision and guidance of the President, along with the supervision by the Ministry of Education, Science, the Nuclear Technology, and the TAEC Board, have enabled TAEC to fully implement the National Nuclear Science Policy,” said Prof Busagala.
The Director also stated that, in the implementation of the Atomic Energy Act No. 7 of 2003, the government has successfully registered 788 radiation professionals qualified to provide radiation services to people.
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Within three years, the government has succeeded to register a total of 1,289 professionals to provide radiation services to patients, while also continuing to manufacture, repair and operate nuclear equipment.
The Director General further stated that, to ensure the country fully benefits from nuclear science opportunities, the government is in the final phase of completing a scholarship programme for Tanzanian youth to study nuclear technology and science at the postgraduate level in foreign universities.
About five Tanzanian youths will benefit from this scholarship opportunity each year.
“The aim of this scholarship is to increase the number of experts in the field of nuclear technology and science in the country to ensure that we fully benefit from nuclear science opportunities,” he said.
Prof Busagala added that, through the training programme that has been established and implemented, TAEC has successfully trained 29 professionals and continued to train another 32 professionals for the country’s progress in the field of nuclear science and technology. He also stated that the Sixth Phase Government has successfully increased the research budget allocation for TAEC to 450m/- in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
“This is an effort to gain more opportunities in nuclear science and technology to protect citizens and the environment from radiation hazards.” Over the period of three years, TAEC has also made progress in improving nuclear technology research and has published a total of 25 research papers in various fields, including agriculture and health.
Furthermore, Prof Busagala noted that the government is currently finalising the multipurpose irradiator project, which will be used to preserve various crops, including fruits, industrial products and medical supplies, to add value and increase exports.
“The project, valued at 7.9bn/-, will help reduce postharvest losses, which are currently estimated to reach up to 60 per cent for fruits and vegetables, as they are prone to spoilage.”
