Minister Huvisa cites filthy surroundi ngs, lack of licence
Dr Terezya Huvisa, Minister of State in the Vice
President's Office (Environment), walks next to a pool of stinking water
when inspecting an abattoir at Ukonga in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The minister’s bold move comes just ten days after she had publicly announced her failure to hold the Dar es Salaam City Council accountable for its failure to supervise cleanliness.
The Ukonga-Mazizini abattoir was also prohibited from operating by the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) early this year for a similar reason, but it resumed work four days later.
The ‘immediate resumption of operations’ created a number of inquiries among the people and Ukonga residents as the place was still unclean.
Speaking to Ukonga residents yesterday, the minister said she decided to close down the abattoir because it was still operating in a filthy environment.
She mentioned other reasons for closing down the slaughter house which has been operating since 1972 as the fact that it was operating without a license from the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) and NEMC, which is a statutory requirement.
Huvisa also directed NEMC officials through the Environmental Council Director Robert Mtakamalenga to write a letter to owners of the abattoir stating that the Council has prohibited any activities at the premise effective yesterday.
She also said the owner will be responsible for compensating residents who may have been affected by the poor and filthy infrastructure of the premises.
Reading a statement on behalf of Ukonga residents who have been affected by the situation, Bennett Bagonza said they do not trust NEMC or Ilala municipality, noting that the two never act on their complaints.
Earlier before visiting the area, Dr Huvisa required the owners to show their license from TFDA and NEMC, but they responded that they didn’t have any.
One of the owners, Lusinde Ngosi told the minister that they were once told to first complete all the necessary requirements before they could be given a license from TFDA and NEMC.
Minister Huvisa escorted by officials from NEMC inspected the slaughter house and witnessed water mixed with animal excrement stuck in streams leading to pathways, emitting foul smell.
The minister was then led to a small furnace situated in the middle of human settlements which is used to burn cow horns, compounding the foul air in the area.
“Everybody should leave this area immediately. The air is unhealthy,” said the minister while leading the way.
Countless horns were scattered all over the premise, making the surroundings filthier.
Minister Huvisa promised to take Vice President Dr Garib Bilal on a tour around Ukonga ward so he could have a vivid picture of the dirty environment.
Executive Officer for Ukonga ward, Mainda Chamwe said the ward management had proposed various solutions to the problem, but no action was taken.
The closure of the slaughterhouse might lead to a shortage of meat in Dar es Salaam.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
Minister Huvisa cites filthy surroundi ngs, lack of licence
Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office
(Environments) Dr Terezya Huvisa has closed down a Dar es Salaam
abattoir on grounds that it was operating in a dirty environment thus
threatening health of consumers.
The minister’s bold move comes just ten days after she had publicly announced her failure to hold the Dar es Salaam City Council accountable for its failure to supervise cleanliness.
The Ukonga-Mazizini abattoir was also prohibited from operating by the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) early this year for a similar reason, but it resumed work four days later.
The ‘immediate resumption of operations’ created a number of inquiries among the people and Ukonga residents as the place was still unclean.
Speaking to Ukonga residents yesterday, the minister said she decided to close down the abattoir because it was still operating in a filthy environment.
She mentioned other reasons for closing down the slaughter house which has been operating since 1972 as the fact that it was operating without a license from the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) and NEMC, which is a statutory requirement.
Huvisa also directed NEMC officials through the Environmental Council Director Robert Mtakamalenga to write a letter to owners of the abattoir stating that the Council has prohibited any activities at the premise effective yesterday.
She also said the owner will be responsible for compensating residents who may have been affected by the poor and filthy infrastructure of the premises.
Reading a statement on behalf of Ukonga residents who have been affected by the situation, Bennett Bagonza said they do not trust NEMC or Ilala municipality, noting that the two never act on their complaints.
Earlier before visiting the area, Dr Huvisa required the owners to show their license from TFDA and NEMC, but they responded that they didn’t have any.
One of the owners, Lusinde Ngosi told the minister that they were once told to first complete all the necessary requirements before they could be given a license from TFDA and NEMC.
Minister Huvisa escorted by officials from NEMC inspected the slaughter house and witnessed water mixed with animal excrement stuck in streams leading to pathways, emitting foul smell.
The minister was then led to a small furnace situated in the middle of human settlements which is used to burn cow horns, compounding the foul air in the area.
“Everybody should leave this area immediately. The air is unhealthy,” said the minister while leading the way.
Countless horns were scattered all over the premise, making the surroundings filthier.
Minister Huvisa promised to take Vice President Dr Garib Bilal on a tour around Ukonga ward so he could have a vivid picture of the dirty environment.
Executive Officer for Ukonga ward, Mainda Chamwe said the ward management had proposed various solutions to the problem, but no action was taken.
The closure of the slaughterhouse might lead to a shortage of meat in Dar es Salaam.
Dar abattoir closed down
30th July 2013
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Minister Huvisa cites filthy surroundi ngs, lack of licence
Dr Terezya Huvisa, Minister of State in the Vice
President's Office (Environment), walks next to a pool of stinking water
when inspecting an abattoir at Ukonga in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
The minister’s bold move comes just ten days after she had publicly announced her failure to hold the Dar es Salaam City Council accountable for its failure to supervise cleanliness.
The Ukonga-Mazizini abattoir was also prohibited from operating by the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) early this year for a similar reason, but it resumed work four days later.
The ‘immediate resumption of operations’ created a number of inquiries among the people and Ukonga residents as the place was still unclean.
Speaking to Ukonga residents yesterday, the minister said she decided to close down the abattoir because it was still operating in a filthy environment.
She mentioned other reasons for closing down the slaughter house which has been operating since 1972 as the fact that it was operating without a license from the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA) and NEMC, which is a statutory requirement.
Huvisa also directed NEMC officials through the Environmental Council Director Robert Mtakamalenga to write a letter to owners of the abattoir stating that the Council has prohibited any activities at the premise effective yesterday.
She also said the owner will be responsible for compensating residents who may have been affected by the poor and filthy infrastructure of the premises.
Reading a statement on behalf of Ukonga residents who have been affected by the situation, Bennett Bagonza said they do not trust NEMC or Ilala municipality, noting that the two never act on their complaints.
Earlier before visiting the area, Dr Huvisa required the owners to show their license from TFDA and NEMC, but they responded that they didn’t have any.
One of the owners, Lusinde Ngosi told the minister that they were once told to first complete all the necessary requirements before they could be given a license from TFDA and NEMC.
Minister Huvisa escorted by officials from NEMC inspected the slaughter house and witnessed water mixed with animal excrement stuck in streams leading to pathways, emitting foul smell.
The minister was then led to a small furnace situated in the middle of human settlements which is used to burn cow horns, compounding the foul air in the area.
“Everybody should leave this area immediately. The air is unhealthy,” said the minister while leading the way.
Countless horns were scattered all over the premise, making the surroundings filthier.
Minister Huvisa promised to take Vice President Dr Garib Bilal on a tour around Ukonga ward so he could have a vivid picture of the dirty environment.
Executive Officer for Ukonga ward, Mainda Chamwe said the ward management had proposed various solutions to the problem, but no action was taken.
The closure of the slaughterhouse might lead to a shortage of meat in Dar es Salaam.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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