TANGA: FOR over 60 years, Switzerland has been a major partner to Tanzania, effectively engaging in supporting the government’s efforts to implement the development projects.
This was stated by Mr Rashid Mbaramula, an official in charge of projects in the Swiss Embassy Tanzania who spoke on behalf of Swiss Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Didier Chassot, at the launch of a safe school zone at Makorora and Azimio primary schools in Tanga Region, on Wednesday.
Creating a Safe School Zone initiative through pedestrian infrastructure improvements is part of a one-year project called “Motorcycle Safety for Young People in Tanzania.
The 424.98m/- worth project, implemented by the Amend Tanzania organisation, is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania.
Since September last year, besides the creation of the Safe School Zone in Tanga, the project activities have included the training of 300 motorcycle taxi riders in Tanga and 253 motorcycle taxi riders in Dodoma.
It also involved an awareness campaign on motorcycle safety issues, and the development of a motorcycle taxi ‘Code of Conduct’.
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“Switzerland has a long historical relation with Tanzania, since 1960 the Switzerland has been a major stakeholder of the development and it has been participating in realizing development in the country,” stated Mr Mbaramula.
“Switzerland is supporting this initiative with the aim of improving safety and providing healthy journeys for road users, especially children and young motorcycle riders,” he added.
When officiating the event, Tanga District Administrative Secretary, Ms Dalmia Mikaya, who represented District Commissioner James Kaji, said the project supports the government’s efforts for improving infrastructures.
“Before this project, there were no road signs and zebra crossings at those schools, hence having these infrastructures will reduce accidents at the schools,” he stated.
On his part, Inspector of Police, Rajab Mhumbi , who represented Tanga Regional Traffic Police Commander, said the duty of road safety should involve everyone.
Amend’s country manager Simon Kalolo said: “In Tanga, this life-saving project demonstrates that road traffic injuries can be prevented. Our work, initially supported by Fondation Botnar and now by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania, will continue reducing injuries and saving lives. With our Safe and Sustainable Transport Action Plan for Tanga City in place,”
He vowed that they aim to ensure that every child in Tanga has a safe journey to school, saying this goal is entirely achievable.
“There is no reason to delay taking action. This needs to be a top priority for our policymakers and must be urgently scaled up,” he pointed out.
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