29. All Overview of Chemical Management in Tanzania
by
Ms. Angelina MADETE
Senior Industrial Engineer, Vice-President Office
Dar-es-Salarn - Tanzania
1.0 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Tanzania is situated in East Africa, just south of the equator. It has its eastern border on the Indian Ocean while it also has frontiers to Kenya and Uganda in the North; Mozamique and Malawi on the South, Zambia, Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi on the West.
The total land area is 945 200 sq km. The country constitutes of mainland Tanzania and the islands of Pemba and Zanzibar, forming the United Republic of Tanzania. Tanzania follows multiparty democracy with an elected Executive President.
According to the 1998 census, population is estimated to be 23.1 million of which 22.5 million in the mainland alone. About 75 % of all Tanzanians live in rural areas and are mainly involved in agriculture. Agriculture contributes above 55 % of the Gross Domestic Product while manufacturing sector contributes 7 %.
2.0 CHEMICALS PRODUCTION I IMPORT I EXPORT & USE
Production of chemicals for local use or export is minimal. Most chemicals needs of industry, other manufacturing and agriculture are met through imports. As of recent, Tanzania has liberalised both local and international trade this has resulted in an increase in flow of goods in and out of the country. The type of chemicals, and consumer chemicals.
Chemicals are imported into Tanzania according to the demand channelled through the licensing Department of the Bank of Tanzania. Following liberalization of trade, few chemicals chemical products require import permits (these are explosives, combustible preparation and ammunitions). Imports of pesticides per annum is estimated to be 81 500 MT, while that of industrial chemicals is 210 250 MT. Tanzania also imports about 22 200 MT of consumer chemicals per annum.
3.0 MANAGEMENT
The National Environment Policy for Tanzania Mainland was approved in December 1997 while Zanzibar had an Environment Policy since 1992. Both Policies have provisions for control of toxic chemicals from importation to end use and disposal of waste chemicals. The objectives stipulated in the Mainland Policy are:
(ii) Review of laws, rules and regulations governing importation, manufacture, transportation, handling, use storage and disposal of toxic chemicals, and dangerous products, hazardous waste and hazardous substance as appropriate.
Although the National Environmental Policy advocates regulating use of toxic chemicals, the country lacks a specific policy on management of chemicals in some manner. Most of these legal instruments are outdated and hence not easy to enforce and are sectoral in nature as they are enacted to curb specific problems in that sector. These legislations also have low penalties and hence discourages good intention to regulate use toxic chemicals. The existing legislations do not cover all important aspects of chemicals management Types of chemicals covered under existing legislation are: pharmaceuticals, mining chemicals, petroleum, pesticides, explosive producing chemicals, radioactive materials, drugs and food additives.
4.0 EXISTING PROBLEMS
The major problems associated with lack of specific policy on chemicals management and inadequate legislation are:
(i) pollution of the environment through spillage, improper discharge of waste chemicals effluent contaminated with, illegal use, excessive use, poor storage or improper disposal;
(ii) lack of a system to regulate imports which leads to excessive importation, or importation of banned I expired I low quality products;
(iii) lack of information among people dealing with chemicals on the potential dangers of chemicals and also on proper storage, handling, use and disposal of chemical waste;
(iv) lack of guidelines on disposal of chemical wastes;
(v) lack of protective gears;
(vi) lack reliable data on imports of industrial and consumer chemicals.
5.0 EXISTING EFFORTS
The following projects/activities are on-going I completed:
(i) Preparation of a national infrastructure for management of chemicals which points out the existing weakness and strengths, and recommends follow up;
(ii) Establishment of PIC procedure;
(iii) Training of industrialists to build their capacity on cleaner production techniques;
(iv) Undertaking of inventory of obsolete chemicals.
6.0 PLANNED EFFORTS
(I) Formulation of an Environmental legal framework;
(ii) Studying sound disposal technologies for waste chemicals available in Tanzania
7.0 PRIORITY CONCERNS
The following are our priorities:
(i) Formulation of a framework policy on chemicals management;
(ii) To establish a legislation to control consumer and industrial chemicals
in Tanzania;
(iii) To establish a national register of importers and distributors of chemicals;
(iv) To raise public awareness on chemical use and handling;
(v) To create a national chemical management information.
8.0 CONCLUSION
While we support efforts being put forward to assist developing countries build capacity in the management of POPs ; we believe we need to have as a basis, a framework policy and adequate legislation. The Policy will give directions on different aspects of chemicals including POPs, prioritize areas of focus and hence leading to a well coordinated efforts. My country would wish assistance be focussed on these importance areas.