What You Need to Know
The Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) and the National Institute of Transport (NIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance road safety and reduce workplace accidents. This partnership aims to prevent accidents through training and awareness, addressing the significant number of claims related to road incidents.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) and the National Institute of Transport (NIT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen road safety, reduce workplace accidents and enhance compensation awareness.
The partnership brings together WCF’s role in compensation and NIT’s mandate in training and research, with a shared focus on preventing accidents before they occur.
Speaking before the signing, WCF Director General, Dr John Mduma, said the fund provides compensation to workers who suffer injuries or occupational diseases arising from their work, noting that a large share of claims is linked to road accidents. “We have been receiving reports of workplace injuries and road accidents.
More than 54 per cent of complaints are related to accidents, and most of these are motor vehicle accidents,” he said.
He added that many of those affected include trainees and workers in transit, making prevention efforts critical at both training and operational levels. “Most of the accidents we see involve motor vehicles while on transit. Those who get injured are our clients, including those currently undergoing training,” he said.
Dr Mduma said the agreement will enable the two institutions to jointly address the root causes of accidents through training, awareness, and better use of data.
“To reduce accidents, it is important to go upstream by equipping trainees with knowledge on how to protect themselves, reduce negligence, and understand procedures for accessing compensation if accidents occur,” he said.
He cautioned against informal settlements following accidents, warning that such arrangements may result in loss of rightful compensation.
“Some people believe that settling matters informally resolves everything, but that is not true. You may end up losing your rights or those of others involved,” he said.
Dr Mduma expressed confidence that the partnership will deliver mutual benefits despite resource constraints.
“We believe this agreement will bring value to both institutions. We understand resources are limited, but with what is available, we will strive to use them effectively,” he said.
On his part, NIT Rector, Prof Prosper Mgaya, said road accidents account for a significant portion of compensation cases, underscoring the need for stronger preventive measures.
He said NIT’s core mandate includes training, research, and consultancy, with increasing focus on road safety awareness through its Centre of Excellence.
“As an institution, we not only provide training but also conduct research and awareness campaigns in road safety,” he said.
Prof Mgaya said that while improvements in road infrastructure reduce travel time, they can also lead to increased speeds and accidents if not matched with safety education.
“When roads improve, travel time reduces, but speed and accidents may increase. That is why awareness is critical,” he said.
He said the collaboration reflects a shift from response to prevention, combining WCF’s downstream compensation role with NIT’s upstream focus on training and awareness. Globally, more than one million people die each year due to road accidents, with between three and five percent of the world’s economy lost in managing accident-related impacts, he said.
“With this MoU, we are taking the partnership to another level, including access to data that will help reduce road accidents and benefit both citizens and the national economy,” he said. Speaking on behalf of stakeholders, Road Safety Ambassadors (RSA) Tanzania Administrative Officer, Ms Irene Msellem, said the agreement aligns with national efforts to curb road accidents and that implementation has already begun.
“This MoU is part of the national strategy to reduce road accidents. We have already started implementing some of these commitments,” she said.
Ms Msellem pledged continued support from stakeholders. “I commend this step and assure you that road safety ambassadors are ready to support wherever needed,” she said.
Road safety has become a critical issue globally, with millions of lives lost each year due to accidents. In Tanzania, road accidents significantly impact workplace safety and compensation claims. The collaboration between WCF and NIT marks a proactive approach to tackle these challenges through education and awareness, aiming to reduce the high incidence of motor vehicle-related injuries among workers and trainees. By focusing on prevention, the partnership seeks to create a safer environment for all road users.
