What You Need to Know
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment has praised the Vice-President’s Office for its effective environmental management initiatives. During a review session, the committee highlighted the positive impact of these programs on sustainable development and community engagement in conservation efforts. The Vice-President’s Office is urged to enhance public awareness campaigns.
Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water and Environment has commended the Vice-President’s Office for its effective implementation of environmental management programmes, noting their contribution to sustainable development.
The committee, led by its Chairperson Jackson Kiswaga, made the remarks yesterday during a session to review the implementation of the 2025/26 plan and budget, alongside revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2026/27 financial year.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Kiswaga commended the office for driving positive behavioural change among communities by discouraging environmental destruction through various projects implemented across the country.
He said noticeable improvements have been recorded in areas where such projects are underway, with communities increasingly abandoning deforestation, conserving forests, and engaging in income-generating activities that do not harm the environment.
“We commend the VicePresident’s Office for the good work. Despite limited resources, it plays a key coordinating role in environmental management, including the projects we have visited,” he said.
Mr Kiswaga, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kalenga Constituency, urged the office to expand public awareness campaigns on environmental conservation, particularly at grassroots level in rural areas where awareness remains low.
Responding to issues raised by the committee, the Minister of State in the VicePresident’s Office (Union and Environment), Engineer Hamad Yussuf Masauni, said the government is undertaking strategic, legal, and institutional reforms to strengthen environmental conservation efforts.
He noted that the process of upgrading the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) into a fullyfledged authority with stronger legal powers to combat environmental degradation is at an advanced stage.
“We believe these legal reforms will enhance NEMC’s effectiveness. The process of amending the law is ongoing and will soon be presented in the National Assembly. I urge members to remain patient, as this involves multiple institutions and aims to serve the public interest,” he said.
Eng Masauni also revealed that NEMC has begun constructing its Lake Zone/ Western headquarters in Geita Region, which will include a centre of excellence for environmental education.
The facility is expected to provide training, particularly for small-scale gold miners, on the environmental and health risks associated with mercury use in gold processing.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office, Dr Richard Muyungi, said the government has secured funding through 12 international agreements to support environmental projects.
He highlighted key funding mechanisms, including the Adaptation Fund (AF), the Loss and Damage Fund, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which has long supported environmental initiatives in the country.
Dr Muyungi noted that despite existing challenges, these funds have played a crucial role in addressing climate change impacts and supporting environmental conservation effort.
Tanzania has faced significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and climate change impacts. The government has been actively working to implement policies aimed at sustainable development and environmental conservation. The establishment of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has been a key step in coordinating these efforts, focusing on legal reforms and community engagement to combat environmental degradation. Recent initiatives have aimed to secure international funding to bolster these conservation projects, reflecting a growing commitment to environmental sustainability.
