The Minister of State in The Vice- President's Office (Environment), Dr Batilda Burian, has directed operators of industries and factories constructed before the new law on environment was effected to conduct environment audits (EA) of their activities, to ensure they comply with the set standards.

Answering Moshi Urban legislator Philemon Ndesamburo (Chadema), Dr Burian said only industries constructed after the 2004 environment law became effective were subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) checks.

The legislator had sought to know if EIA was conducted at Njoro Tanneries, in Moshi municipality which he said emitted foul smell causing inconveniences to area residents. She said National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) inspected the factory twice this year and advised the operators on measures to take to contain the situation.

She said the situation was caused by aging machines of the factory that started operations in 1969, and that the oxidation ponds had not met the set standards. "The experts advised the operators and have since then rectified the situation," she said declining any government plans to close it down. She mentioned side effects of the effluents to human being to be fatigue, blurred vision, headache, loss of appetite and insomnia, to mention but a few. The legislator had wanted to know measures that could be taken by the government to rescue the situation and effects of such smell on the people.
Source:http://www.dailynews.co.tz