ARUSHA: THE newly appointed installed Conservation Commissioner for
Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Musa Kuji has been a tall order to make sure tourist arrivals reach three million in 2024.The tourist arrivals target for 2024 is among 14 directives given to the new TANAPA boss by the Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Angellah Kairuki during a swearing-in ceremony of Mr Kuji in Arusha on Tuesday.
Ms Kairuki told the new boss of Tanapa to ensure that by December this year, Tanzania should receive not less than three million tourists and among them, new tourists should at least reach 1.2 million to reach the target of five million tourists by 2025 as directed by the ruling party, CCM in its 2020 election manifesto.
“I don’t want to hear excuses. I don’t expect to hear mining activities or livestock keeping in the parks and the money required to conduct those patrols should be released according to the procedures,” said the minister.
Tourist arrivals reached 1,471,567 in the first 10 months of 2023 up from 1,454,920 in 2022, according to data by the Tanzania Bureau of Statistics.
Mr Kuji is succeeding William Mwakilema who was appointed by President Samia as the District Commissioner of Korogwe in Tanga Region in October last year.
She also wanted him to make sure the protection of natural resources in the national parks is strengthened all the time and there should be regular patrols to deal with poaching in the parks.
She also said the new TANAPA boss should come up with strategies for other national parks instead of concentrating on the five national parks – Serengeti, Kilimanjaro, Tarangire, Manyara and Nyerere.
She said all 16 national parks need to contribute to bringing in tourist earnings.
The Minister insisted it would be the responsibility of the Conservation Commissioner to ensure all national parks have adequate facilities and human resources to reach this goal.
In addition, Kairuki directed Tanapa to be innovative and to put more effort into promoting tourist attractions in collaboration with other stakeholders including the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), to improve infrastructures like roads, bridges, latrines and other necessary infrastructures in the national parks.
According to Kairuki, Tanapa also has to continue building good relationships with the communities surrounding the national parks, and good relationships with the stakeholders of conservation and tourism so that when any changes occur, they get information on time and be ready to receive their opinions.
Kairuki also wanted Tanapa to ensure development projects are well implemented and should be executed at the actual cash value.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Hassan Abbas, requested Mr Kuji to embrace a teamwork spirit to achieve the intended goals of the organisation.
Board Chairman of Tanapa, rtd Gen. George Waitara, among other things, insisted Mr Kuji work closely with the board for the success of the organisation, and that he should always give proper directives to his subordinates and be a good leader by acts.
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