Tanzania to ‘fast-track EIA certificates’: Makamba says
What you need to know:
The minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Environment and Union Affairs), Mr January Makamba, told reporters yesterday that the certificates would be issued within three days of application by the investor. He said the new measure was aimed at promoting investment in the industrial sector.
Dar es Salaam. The government has announced a new plan to provide investors with provisional environmental impact assessment (EIA) certificates in a move aimed at encouraging those seeking to set up factories in Tanzania.
The minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Environment and Union Affairs), Mr January Makamba, told reporters yesterday that the certificates would be issued within three days of application by the investor. He said the new measure was aimed at promoting investment in the industrial sector.
This comes after President John Magufuli directed the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) to make sure investors acquired the EIA clearance in the shortest possible period.
He said it was one way of ensuring that Tanzania achieved its dream for an industrial economy.
Mr Makamba told reporters at the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair that once an investor gets the clearance they could start implementing their projects while NEMC conducts the assessment before issuing a permanent certificate.
“Investors’ consignments have been staying at the Dar port for more than 60 days because they [investors] haven’t obtained EIA certificates,” Mr Makamba said during an Environmental and Sustainable Industrial Development ceremony at the Mwalimu J.K. Nyerere grounds.
