Lawmaker calls for special team to take charge when disaster hits

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In a private statement read as Parliament wrapped up debate on a budget proposal by the Ministry of Energy in Dodoma early Thursday, Mr Mbatia, who is an MP for Vunjo, asked the government to step up.

Dodoma. Local legislator James Mbatia (NCCR-Mageuzi) wants government to expedite formation of a disaster management authority so it can provide support to Tanzanians when things invariably go wrong.

In a private statement read as Parliament wrapped up debate on a budget proposal by the Ministry of Energy in Dodoma early Thursday, Mr Mbatia, who is an MP for Vunjo, asked the government to step up.

“Government should protect its people if disaster strikes,” he said, adding, “but we have not done well in this.”

He cited experiences in his own constituency during recent rains, where scores died and roads, farms and entire structures were wiped out.

“Nobody looked after survivors except the church – and the office of the Vunjo MP, which donated 5 million shillings.”

The government’s role, according to the Vunjo legislator, is to protect its citizens and their property.

To that end, the Magufuli administration should “form a disaster management authority as demanded by the 2015 Disaster Management Act”, he said.

Responding, Parliament chair and special seats legislator Najma Giga (CCM) said the government had “heard (Mr Mbatia’s) pleas and will work on them.”