TZ cities primed for spy cameras

Dodoma. In a bid to curb crime in the country, the government through the ministry of Home Affairs is finalising talks with some companies to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in various cities in the country.

The minister for Home Affairs, Mr Mathias Chikawe, told Parliament yesterday that his office was in talks with experienced companies on the matter and that soon the CCTV cameras would be installed in various cities in the country.

He said the measure has been taken following an increase in criminal incidents in big cities such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza and Zanzibar. “We are negotiating the project on public surveillance systems with competent companies... we are looking forward to executing the project soon,” said Mr Chikawe.

He said the pilot studies have been conducted in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and that implementation of the project would start soon.

According to the minister, after installing the system in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, the same project would include other cities in the country.

“This is a normal thing for security purposes... we will start with Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and later we will proceed with other urban areas,” he said.

The minister was responding to Mr Kangi Lugola (Mwibara-CCM) who wanted to know when the government would install CCTV cameras in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Tanga, Moshi, Morogoro, Mbeya and Arusha. Mr Kangi Lugola argued that the cities were recording many crime incidents and that there was a need for the State to apply improved technology to deal with the situation.

Moreover, Mr Lugola challenged the government to allow private companies to install CCTV cameras, saying anything related to national security should be given a priority.

“We have privatised everything; companies, farms and many other public properties... today we are talking about commissioning private firms to install CCTV cameras... the government must get serious on how to handle this matter,” he said.

However, the minister said the government was sensitive and devoted to protect its people and their properties.

Commenting on the measures that are being taken to curb road accidents, the deputy Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Pereira Silima said the government was also finalizing the deal to set car-track system.