Best technology in gas, oil crucial

Ms Samia Hassan Suluhu
Ms Suluhu
The government has vowed to ensure ongoing oil and gas exploration activities in the country adhere to strict environmental guidelines.

The Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office (Union Affairs), Samia Hassan Suluhu, told the National Assembly here on Friday that the government has intensified environmental assessment studies where such activities take place.

“We want to make sure that all explorations stick to the best available practices and technologies,” said Ms Suluhu when moving the ministry’s budget proposals in the House. 

Her statement comes amid increasing onshore and offshore explorations in the country done by a number of major foreign companies.

The state minister also said during the 2013/14 financial year, the ministry will closely follow up on the implementation of the government’s 2006 ban on plastic bags whose thickness is less than 30 microns.

She said to enforce the ban, the ministry was consulting with the Ministry of Trade and Industries and the Attorney General (AG) with a view to find a workable plan for implementation of the ban.

She added that the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) used its mandate to stop illegal construction of structures on river banks and mangrove areas in Dar es Salaam. Ms Suluhu said the operation saw 17 structures demolished and River Mbezi restored to its original path.

She added that NEMC, in collaboration with the police force, has formed a special Environmental Police Unit, and so far 64 police men and women have been selected to enforce adherence to environmental regulations.

Meanwhile, the State Minister said process to iron out challenges of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar was going on well. She said a series of meetings involving officials from both sides of the Union had taken place this month.
Source: The Daily News, reported from Dodoma
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