VP: Solve problems timely
DAR ES SALAAM: VICE-PRESIDENT Deogratius Ndejembi has assured citizens of timely solutions to their challenges, saying the government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan is attentive to their concerns and committed to protecting their interests.
Mr Ndejembi said this yesterday as he directed authorities to speed up implementation of President Samia’s directives to ensure longstanding public concerns receive lasting solutions, noting that citizens want to see tangible results from government measures.
He issued the directives to Dar es Salaam Region and its councils after visiting the Dar es Salaam Major Dumpsite at Pugu to assess its condition and hear concerns from residents in surrounding areas. During the visit, the VicePresident ordered improvement of the dumpsite and directed authorities to spray nearby residential areas to reduce the risk of disease, particularly during the rainy season.
He said the government was committed to addressing citizens’ challenges promptly and ensuring that measures taken produced visible results. Mr Ndejembi also ordered the preparation of a joint action plan outlining immediate and long-term measures to address challenges in the operation of the dumpsite and concerns affecting neighbouring communities.
The Vice-President expressed concern over conflicting figures on the amount of waste collected from different parts of Dar es Salaam and transported to the dumpsite each day. He directed all authorities involved to work together to verify the figures and establish accurate data to guide planning and improve waste management in the city.
“We cannot solve the challenges in this area without having accurate information and data. These citizens you see are tired of stories; they want to see work,” he said.
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Mr Ndejembi further directed councils in Dar es Salaam to allocate specific budgets for the operation of the dumpsite and improve equipment and essential infrastructure. In a related directive, Mr Ndejembi gave ministers responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Natural Resources and Tourism,
and Lands seven days to resolve a longstanding dispute involving administrative boundaries and the boundary of Kazimzumbwi Forest. He directed the ministers to visit the affected areas and work with residents and technical experts to examine maps and official Government Notices (GNs) to establish the boundaries.
“Ministers, I want you to go to the area yourselves to identify the GNs for the regions and the boundaries of Kazimzumbwi Forest because this has been a longstanding concern,” he said.
The dispute has left some residents uncertain about the status of their residential areas because of unclear administrative and forest boundaries. Mr Ndejembi said the directives were in line with President Samia’s instructions to ensure citizens’ concerns were addressed through practical and lasting solutions.
Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila pledged to oversee implementation of the directives, including improving management of the dumpsite and ensuring its operations meet environmental and public health requirements.
Residents from Mstafa, Viwege and Kinyamwezi used the visit to raise concerns over the impact of the dumpsite, lack of insectcontrol spraying, prolonged water shortages and land disputes.
The Vice-President was accompanied by Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government Prof Riziki Shemdoe, Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office responsible for Union and Environment Eng Hamad Masauni, Deputy Minister Reuben Kwagilwa, Mr Chalamila, district commissioners and leaders from Dar es Salaam councils.
