Why Uhuru torch race crucial

• Premier touts environmental conservation

KILIMANJARO: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has called on Tanzanians and all development stakeholders to give priority to the environmental conservation agenda and participate in implementation of environmental regulations, guidelines and laws for the country’s interest.

Mr Majaliwa made the statement in Kilimanjaro Region yesterday during the launch ceremony of the 2024 Uhuru torch race, themed ‘Protect environment and participate in the local government election for building a sustainable nation.’

He said that environmental protection has been given priority by the government because Tanzania, like other countries in the world, is facing the challenge of environmental degradation.

“The government has always been emphasising the importance of conserving the environment for development of the nation, including planting trees, conserving trees, forests, wild forests and protecting natural vegetation, cleanliness of cities and settlements, control of solid and hazardous waste as well as preservation of water sources and wetlands,” he said.

According to the Premier, the government has established strong management through the Environmental Management Act, (CAP 191), which has set conditions that protect environment degradation due to social activities.

He said the government also established the official management of water resources in 2009 that prohibits human activities beyond the limit of 60 metres from the edge of the river.

“The government also established 2021 national environmental policy and the 2021 national climate change strategy. These systems are set to ensure that the issue of environmental protection is properly managed and everyone is responsible for implementing these laws” Mr Majaliwa said.

He said destruction of the environment has many negative effects to the country, including extreme drought, increasing sea water levels, floods, disease outbreaks, increasing temperature, spread of harmful insects, spread of human, plant and animal diseases as well as destruction of the ecosystem.

Moreover, PM Majaliwa urged citizens to participate in large numbers to contest for various positions in the local government election.

He also told citizens to participate in local government campaign meetings and pick credible leaders, so that they can cooperate with them in bringing about the country’s development.

According to the PM, the history of Uhuru torch begun before the independence of Tanganyika in 1961, where in 1958, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere told members of the colonial legislative council of his intention to light the torch immediately after Tanganyika gain independence.

When Tanganyika gained independence, Mwalimu Nyerere fulfilled his desire to light the torch on December 9th, 1961 which was later taken to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro as a symbol of national illumination.

The Uhuru torch aimed to enlighten and awaken the sense of nationalism, to illuminate the nation by saying “no” to poverty, inequality, illiteracy, diseases, ethnicity and racialism On his part, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Office’s (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities) Mr Patrobas Katambi said major strides have been made in the past 60 years of the Uhuru torch race existence.

He said the Uhuru torch race has been a great stimulus in encouraging development and unity among all Tanzanians.

“To emphasise the value of the Uhuru torch race, President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, as was the case with her predecessors, always works on the entire report which is submitted as well as working on the recommendations made by those entrusted with leading the race every year,” he said.

In addition, he said one of the achievements of the race include battling and eradicating discrimination among Tanzanians.

On her part, the Zanzibar Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Ms Tabia Maulid Mwita said that the Uhuru torch race has made a huge contribution in improving the well-being of people by spurring improvement of social services, including health and education, maintaining the Union, as well as the fight against poverty.

Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Mr Nurdin Babu thanked the government for giving the region the honour of hosting the launch of the race.