Tanzania Gets New Environment Minister

President of Tanzania John Magufuli has replaced environment minister January Makamba with George Simbachhawene.

Speaking on the shake up, which also saw Nzega Urban MP Hussein Bashe appointed to the position of deputy minister of agriculture, President Magufuli stated that there was a lot of sluggishness at the ministry.

"Investors are still exposed to a lot of delays in accessing Environmental Impact Assessment (Eia) certificates. If need be, it should reach a point whereby investors should start investing and acquire the certificates later,” he is quoted as stating.

Commenting on Bashe’s appointment, the President said he had appointed the deputy minister following his candid contributions in parliament. "I heard how you contributed to the budget for the Ministry of Agriculture [for the financial year 2019/20] in Parliament. I was impressed by the analyses shown through your contributions in Parliament and I want you to go and put that into practice," the President stated.