Johannesburg, South Africa (ADV) – The Tanzania government has suspended the importation, exportation, recycling and collection of hazardous waste until the announcement of a new law which will regulate this sector.
The suspension which includes scrap metal, and other electronic waste aims to prohibit traders from receiving hazardous waste from anyone who does not have a permit to do so from the Vice-President’s Office.
This is in line with Section 133(2) of the Environmental Management Act, 2004 (2) which bans any person from transporting in Tanzania or exporting from Tanzania hazardous waste without a permit.
“All people trading in the categorised hazardous waste must register themselves with the NEMC” reads the statement issued by Vice-President’s Office in Dar es Salaam, after a visit by the by Minister of State, January Makamba, and the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) Director General, Samuel Gwamaka.
The government further revealed that they were aware of 44 containers loaded with scrap metal at the port waiting for exportation, but only 10 containers were remaining at the port yesterday, which possibly means 34 of them have been exported without authorisation.
“The scrap metals were imported into the country as “loose cargo” from the Comoros via Zanzibar – this cargo has been impounded until investigation is completed, legal action will be taken against importers for violating regulations,” read the statement.
The government warned anyone who destroy public infrastructure and trade in scrap metals that they will soon be charged with destruction of public infrastructure under the Economic Sabotage Act.
“All people trading in the categorised hazardous waste must register themselves with the National Environment Management Council (NEMC),” added the statement.
