Officiating at the opening of a five -day training session for officials of the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), he said Tanzania leads several countries in the region with good meteorological services but the government is determined to improve further as the services are vital in national economic development.
Chamulilo stated that currently there are two functioning weather radars in Dar es Salaam and Mbeya regions while the third one in Mtwara is still under installation. The government is geared to have even more accurate weather forecast reports, he stated.
The aim is to provide meteorological services that meet stakeholders' expectations thereby contributing to the protection of life and property, environment and the national goal for poverty eradication.
“Modern meteorological equipment is crucial in improving accuracy of weather reports in the country. TMA is doing a good job that has enabled its chief executive to be appointed the third vice president of the World Meteorological Association,” he said, specifying that the government looks forward to boost the authority’s infrastructure.
Chamuhilo hailed the management for good work and dedication that has uplifted the organization's image from the time it was an agency, up to early September 2019.
The training was organized to help empower the TMA management with enhanced knowledge now that it has become an authority.
Dubbed ‘fundamentals of regulation and cost recovery’ it was also convened to help TMA focus on improved revenue collection and the legal framework of operations.
TMA has increased accuracy in meteorological services but a similar effort needs to be directed towards boosting revenue collection among other requirements, he stated.
The government will continue improving weather infrastructural capacity to ensure improved performance for the benefit of all Tanzanians, the ministry’s chief civil servant noted, urging the board of directors to focus on improving workers’ welfare and control the revenue collected.
Earlier in her opening remarks, TMA Director General Dr Agnes Kijazi said the training is meant for managerial capacity building on its new roles.
TMA has strived to provide the best services and has managed to work above the global benchmark of 70 percent, reaching 80 percent of accurate weather forecasting and other services, she declared.
She expressed gratitude for the government for continued support leading to an increase in services, making Tanzania take a step ahead of the regional average. "It is only through government support and technical training that makes TMA recognized beyond our borders," she said.
The public now has a lot of trust on TMA than it was the case before, with strong teamwork that the organization has attained that far, the director added.
