Dar es Salaam. The government is working on proposals to introduce legislation for the establishment of a Transport Board aimed at identifying, registering and overseeing transport professionals in Tanzania.
Speaking at the 40th graduation ceremony of the National Institute of Transport (NIT) on Saturday, December 21 Deputy Minister for Transport, David Kihenzile, said the proposed board would also be responsible for promoting professionalism and ethics among transport experts.
“The government, in collaboration with stakeholders including NIT, is preparing proposals for a law to establish a board for registering transport professionals,” he said.
“The aim is to identify, register and uphold the ethics of transport experts to ensure that all transport-related work is managed by qualified individuals,” he added.
Mr Kihenzile emphasised that the move would help to regulate the sector and ensure high standards of service delivery.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving NIT’s teaching infrastructure to better equip the institution to train experts, conduct research and provide professional advice for the transport sector’s sustainable development.
He called on stakeholders in the transport industry to support NIT by offering students practical training opportunities and further developing innovations created at the institute.
“I urge stakeholders in the transport sector to support NIT’s efforts by providing practical training opportunities for students and fostering the development of innovations produced by the institute,” he said.
During the ceremony, NIT rector, Dr Prosper Mgaya revealed that 4,176 students had graduated across various levels, comprising 2,581 men and 1,595 women.
He acknowledged challenges faced by the institute, including limited infrastructure and human resources.
To address these, NIT is constructing dormitories, offices, classrooms, and garages, with three buildings set to be completed by February 2025 under the World Bank-funded EASTRIP project.
He said NIT is expanding to new campuses in Lindi and Kilimanjaro regions to ease overcrowding at its Dar es Salaam campus.
On staffing, Dr Mgaya said the institute continues to seek government approval to hire more lecturers and reduce reliance on temporary staff.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
