The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr
Hamisi Kigwangalla said yesterday that his office would fight against poachers,
smuggling of forestry products and take stern measures against civil servants
abetting such illegal trades. Speaking at the 25th workers meeting planned to
draw new ideas and deliberate issues facing the ministry, the minister said
reports show that some dishonest staff were collaborating with criminals to
commit the unwarranted acts. It ranges from smuggling of logs to poaching …
we’ve information that some of the officials in the ministry are helping
criminals to commit these offence,” the minister said, adding we’ll clean up the mess and deal with all
those working abetting crimes for personal gain.”
The Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr
Hamisi Kigwangalla responding questions from journalists.
The minister says such
criminal acts were causing huge losses in government revenues, but fell short
of giving exact figures of the monies lost. He argued, however, that only
commitment to observing rules and procedures by officials in the ministry would
help end poaching, smuggling and wildlife trafficking, hence help contribute to
increased tourists arrivals and revenue collection. Tanzania recorded some
1.2million arrivals in 2016, which earned the country some $2.1bn – which
increased to 1.3 billion arrivals and earnings of $2.3bn by last month. The
minister reminded ministry officials of the need to increase revenue
collection. “It is through these revenues that we can improve services across
the country.” Permanent Secretary Maj Gen. Gaudence Malinzi meanwhile said the
ministry would set up a special trained army to beef-up the fight against
poaching, smuggling and trafficking. He said that effective next September, the
ministry would be holding a national heritage and tourism festival to promote
the country’s culture and tourism sector.
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