‘Minerals need value addition’

Dar es Salaam. Members of the parliamentary committee for Energy and Minerals have urged the ministry of Minerals to put in place strategies, which would help add value to the precious metals now that there is a ban on exportation of concentrates.

In their meeting with the Minerals ministry’s officials, they suggested the strengthening and modernisation of the Tanzania Gemological Centre as one of the strategies that they think will help Tanzania earn its rightful share from the exploitation of its abundant natural resources.

Meanwhile, the members applauded the ministry for its efforts in collecting revenues as the first half of the 2018/19 financial year, which started on July to December, a total of Sh167.7 billion was garnered out of target of Sh310.5 billion.

The ministry’s deputy minister, Mr Stanslaus Nyongo, said he was satisfied with the amount collected.

“The ministry set its own objectives of collecting more than the set target. This will help us collect the right amount when the target rises in the next financial year,” said Mr Nyongo.