TFS keeps close eye on business of forestry products, House told

THE government through the Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) is keeping a close eye on the business of products harvested from the forests for sustainability of the resources and environment protection.

Thus it maintained that it will keep on ensuring that the business of forestry products adhere to rules and regulations running the industry so that both parties can operate without affecting the environment and resource management.

The Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Ms Mary Masanja gave the statement in the National Assembly yesterday when responding to a question by Mr Michael Mwakamo (Kibaha Urban-CCM), who wanted to know the status of the forestry products business and control mechanism done by TFS.

Responding further, the deputy minister said the government will strive to ensure there is management of the resources for sustainability of the business of the forestry products.

“I call upon forests harvest products business operators and all those with good will to ensure that they are guided by the rules, regulations and procedures for protection of the forestry resources as well as for the national industry growth” said Ms Masanja.

She said the Forestry Act of 2004 has put clear the procedures to be followed when harvesting the forest products, transportation and products business should adhere to the terms of ownership, be it individual, village authorities, local or central government.

In another development, the government named four measures undertaken to empower councils whose local revenue derailed their efforts in the implementation of development projects.

Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Mr Deogratius Ndejembi outlined some of the steps taken to reduce the amount of revenue lined up to contribute to the development basket of the national development projects.

Mr Ndejembi gave the sentiments in response to a question by Grace Tendega (Special Seat-CCM), who wanted to know what the government was doing to set rationale in council’s budget since majority of them cannot raise revenue to operate fully due to financial limitation.

Mr Ndejembi said they have categorised the councils into four grades taking revenue collection opportunities available in their respective administrative areas.

He named other measures to remove the councils from the list of contributing ten per cent of local revenue collection to the roads infrastructure construction.

Others are government support payment of the monthly benefits for department directors entitled and monthly councillors’ allowances.