Tanzania plans to install 6,500 security cameras in four major cities

By  The Citizen Reporter Media/news company Mwananchi Communications Limited

What you need to know:

• The cameras equipped with Artificial Intelligence technology are expected to be installed in industrial areas, commercial areas, public gatherings, city streets, hotels, and places for social services, in the cities of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Mwanza.

Dar es Salaam. The government of Tanzania is planning to install 6,500 cameras in key economic areas of the four main cities as part of efforts to ensure safety and security.

Home Affairs minister, Mr Hamad Masauni, revealed the plan on Wednesday as he presented his budget for the next financial year to Parliament in Dodoma.

He said the cameras equipped with Artificial Intelligence technology are expected to be installed in industrial areas, commercial areas, public gatherings, city streets, hotels, and places for social services, in the cities of Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Mwanza.

The installation of the cameras is the implementation of the “safer cities” project which is set to commence in the 2024/25 financial year.

“The project will help to stimulate economic and social activities due to the improved security in towns and cities across the country,” said Mr Masauni.

“This project will also assist in the implementation of recommendations from the Criminal Justice Commission regarding the use of modern technology in the operations of security agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he added.

The project will be implemented through a concessional loan worth $145.2 million from the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to Mr Masauni, a commercial agreement has already been signed between the Police production unit and the contractor and the project implementation will commence after the signing of the financial agreement between the government of Tanzania and the government of the UAE.

From July 2023 to April 2024, major criminal incidents reported to police stations decreased from 45,485 to 43,146, a five percent decrease compared to the same period in 2022/23, the budget speech indicates.

The decrease in crime, Mr Masauni said, is attributed to the collaboration between the Police and other security agencies in conducting patrols, raids, and operations to detect, prevent, investigate, and combat crimes.

He also said that public education on the implementation of the concept of Community Policing in crime control was ongoing.