Africa-Press – Tanzania. THE Forestry Training Institute (FTI) Olmotonyi could be the latest agency under the Natural Resources and Tourism docket to join the paramilitary system.
The move seeks to instill discipline and improve performance of the 84 year-old facility, which is budding to Centre of Excellence for training, research and demonstration in forestry and related science.
Speaking here recently, Minister for Tourism and Natural Resources, Dr Damas Ndumbaro hinted that FTI was compelled to join the paramilitary system just like other conservation agencies under the ministry.
“Brace yourselves for such training as some of you will start going to Mlele for this mandatory exercise,” hinted Dr Ndumbaro.
The Minister directed the management of the Arusha-based institute to prepare a list of staff that would start going to the western Tanzania’s district of Mlele.
So far, Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA), Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA) and Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) are the conservation agencies that have since embraced the paramilitary system.
The departure from civilian to paramilitary system by the conservation agencies not only seeks to protect natural resources, but also to instill discipline in the institutions, which fall under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
Launching the paramilitary unit at Fort Ikoma, in November 2018, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who was then the Vice-President expressed her optimism that combating of poaching would boost tourism sector by attracting more visitors.
In the same vein, Dr Ndumbaro challenged the FTI to engage in academic forums with other agencies such as the Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI), Tanzania Forest Fund (TaFF) and TFS in a bid to retain the institute’s lost glory.
Since its establishment and particularly from the 1980s the Institute has grown in both size and quality. Its services have reached many countries in Eastern, Western, Central and Southern Africa.
The Institute currently offer Basic Certificate (NTA 4) in Forestry, Technician Certificate (NTA 5) in Forestry and Ordinary Diploma (NTA 6) in Forestry as well as short courses and consultancies in all environmental related fields including beekeeping and climate change.
