First Saturday of every month is cleanliness day, orders govt

Tanzanians have been ordered to make it a habit that the first Saturday of every month is used for cleaning up the environment, the government said yesterday.

Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s office (Union matters and Environment) Mr Luhaga Mpina issued the directive at a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

“The main intention is to rid our streets of diseases like cholera and inculcate a culture of self-responsibility in conserving the environment,” said Mr Mpina.

He said the ministry has prepared strategic plans that will help a smooth implementation of the order including thorough follow-up in every locality across the country. Mr Mpina said cholera cases in 2015 increased to nearly 12,000 with 194 deaths compared to 3,989 that occurred in 2014.

He ordered regional and district commissioners as well as council directors to make sure the order was implemented. “Short of that, severe measures will be taken against them,” he warned.

“This exercise is compulsory and every Tanzanian regardless of their position and influence is responsible,” he added.

The directive comes just a month after President John Magufuli cancelled Independence Day celebrations and instead directed people to use it to clean up their surroundings.

Mr Mpina also reminded RCs and DCs to supervise the directive of planting 1.5 million trees in every district annually.

“The implementation for this has been hindered by officials who neglect or ignore their duty. This government will not condone such behaviour,” he said.

The tree planting exercise in every district is aimed at conserving vegetation cover and combat desertification.

He said some regions like Dodoma, Singida, Simiyu, Shinyanga and Kilimamjaro were in the danger of turning into deserts.

“This problem is accelerated by deforestation which destroys nearly 4,000 hectars of land every year,” he said.

However, he said the government would continue to search and promote the use of alternative fuel for both domestic and industrial needs.

He elaborated that the problem of deforestation has so far increased the rate of global warming by 0.85 degrees and the rise of the sea level by 19 centimetres, something that has resulted in the destruction of coastal areas like Bagamoyo and Pangani beaches.

The Citizen

UM– USEKE.RW