MINISTER of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr Ashatu Kijaji has announced that the government plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment across various regions to evaluate the impacts of flooding caused by climate change.
Dr Kijaji made this statement while presenting a report on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the El Niño rains of 2023/24 and detailing how the office has addressed the challenges.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Water and Environment in Dodoma on Tuesday, she explained that the Vice-President’s Office has begun preparing the necessary documentation for this assessment.
“We will enlist experts in the field to inform the Tanzanian public about the impacts of climate change and the government’s measures to address them,” Dr Kijaji said.
She outlined that the Vice-President’s Office, in collaboration with stakeholders, is focused on providing information to communities, particularly at the village and ward levels, regarding the effects of the El Niño rains.
Additionally, the office has developed initial response plans and strategies for emergency measures, especially in flood-prone areas.
Dr Kijaji also highlighted ongoing efforts to prevent human activities within 60 metres of water sources to minimise the impact on citizens and property affected by rainfall.
ALSO READ: Scientists: El Nino not responsible for East Africa floods
Permanent Secretary in the Vice-President’s Office, Engineer Cyprian Luhemeja said that the office is preparing a guide on resource management for water bodies.
Furthermore, an institutional framework for implementing the blue economy policy is being developed, along with educational programmes to enhance public understanding.
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Earlier, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Water and Environment, Mr Jackson Kiswaga underlined the need for research centres to regularly assess and report on the effects of climate change, noting the enduring nature of these issues.
The report aims to provide an overview of the environmental impacts caused by the rains between November 2023 and April 2024 and the responses implemented to address these impacts.
The assessment covered several areas: in the Eastern Zone, including Rufiji, Kibiti, Kisarawe, Kinondoni, Temeke, Kigamboni and Mlimba; the Northern Zone including Kisongo Ward in Arusha Region, Arumeru District Wards of Suye and Mianzini, Mto wa Mbu in Monduli District, Ngaramtoni in Arusha District Council-Arumeru District and Karatu District.
Additionally, the assessment included the Western regions of Kigoma and Katavi and the Southern Highlands of Rukwa, Mbeya, Njombe and Songwe.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
ALSO READ: NBC participates in TFF 2023/24 awards, promises to enhance competition
On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
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