Mwanza Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda has ordered environmental authorities to take legal action against traders who continue to dispose of waste indiscriminately in drainage channels at Mwanza City's Central Market, warning that poor waste management is accelerating environmental degradation and posing health risks to the public.
The directive was issued on Saturday during a large-scale clean-up exercise at the market, held as part of activities leading up to the national commemoration of World Environment Day 2026.
Speaking after inspecting the market, Mr Mtanda expressed concern over what he described as a growing culture of irresponsible waste disposal among some traders, noting that blocked drainage systems have become a major contributor to unsanitary conditions in one of the city's busiest commercial hubs.
He instructed city environmental officers and market management to strictly enforce environmental health and sanitation by-laws, ensuring that individuals found violating the regulations are penalised.
The Regional Commissioner said revenue collected from fines should support the provision of cleaning and waste management services, while stressing that sustained compliance with environmental regulations would help improve sanitation standards and protect public health.
He further directed environmental officers to intensify routine inspections within the market to ensure traders comply with environmental laws and operational guidelines.
Mr Mtanda said maintaining cleanliness should be regarded as a civic responsibility, calling on traders, residents and market users to embrace a culture of environmental stewardship. He noted that a clean environment is essential for safeguarding consumers and sustaining business activities.
Beyond waste management, the Regional Commissioner urged residents across Mwanza Region to participate in tree-planting initiatives as part of broader efforts to combat environmental degradation and climate change.
Data presented during the event showed that Mwanza City has made significant progress in environmental conservation during the 2025/26 financial year. According to City Environmental Officer Daudi Joseph, a total of 768,476 trees were planted across the city, with 176,750 planted through community-led initiatives involving residents and environmental stakeholders.
Mr Joseph said the city has also rolled out a number of environmental awareness campaigns, including the Tunza Mazingira Ng'arisha Nyamagana initiative, aimed at strengthening public participation in environmental conservation and improving urban cleanliness.
He added that Nyamagana District continues to implement climate adaptation and environmental protection programmes in collaboration with development partners, including environmental education initiatives covering all 18 wards.
Representing the Vice President's Office, Senior Forestry Officer Lucas Sabida commended Mwanza Region for its commitment to environmental conservation, describing it as one of the country's leading regions in mobilising communities to participate in environmental protection efforts.
He said the Vice President's Office has continued to receive strong cooperation from environmental experts and local authorities in the region, helping advance national efforts to promote sustainable environmental management.
The clean-up exercise forms part of nationwide activities ahead of World Environment Day 2026, whose national celebrations will be held in Dodoma under the theme: "Vision 2050: Taking Responsibility for a Greener Tanzania."
