Author: BERNARD LUGONGO
AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE Chief Government Chemist, Dr Fidelice Mafumiko has reiterated the need for entrepreneurs making various items using chemicals to abide to safety guidelines to avoid health and environmental effects.
Dr Mafumiko made the appeal when closing a training session for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in Dar es Salaam and its environs.
The seminar held in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday was organized by the Eastern Zone office of the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA).
“Chemicals are dangerous when not carefully used. Chemicals, if not properly used, can be a weapon. For instance, they can cause blindness when dropped into the eyes. They can even lead to explosions and fire accidents,” he insisted.
According to the law on management and control of industrial and domestic chemicals, the GCLA has been mandated to provide education over management and control of chemicals to stakeholders such as entrepreneurs.
Provision of education is aimed at creating awareness among the stakeholders over the effects of the chemicals and enhances proper uses for economic development and protecting the environment.
“It is my hope that the seminar has changed entrepreneurs mindset over the use of chemicals and will be a catalyst for enabling this group to adhere to guidelines on safe uses of chemicals,” he stated.
Earlier in the morning when opened the training, Ilala District trade officer, Nicas Msemwa argued that entrepreneurs always rush for opportunities and at most time rush without knowledge of laws guiding that particular activity.
Mr Msemwa, therefore, pointed out that such training to entrepreneurs was important to assist them from doing their activities against the country’s laws.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow entrepreneurs who attended the training, Ms Agnes Kuratha hailed GCLA for organizing the training for building capacity among them.
She said the training has given them an understanding on the best uses of chemicals, a move which will help them make a step ahead in their entrepreneurship activities.
