Vice President Deogratius Ndejembi has ordered authorities in Dar es Salaam to urgently clear garbage choking the Ng’ombe River in Tandale and ensure vulnerable crossings are made usable ahead of the rainy season.
The directive followed a surprise inspection of the area, where the Vice President assessed environmental conditions and preparedness for possible flooding and other disruptions during the rains.
Mr Ndejembi said the accumulation of waste along the river was a concern that required immediate action, directing the Dar es Salaam regional authorities to remove the garbage and keep the waterway clean.
The order places the focus on one of the persistent challenges facing densely populated parts of Dar es Salaam—how poor waste management can undermine efforts to control flooding and protect residents during heavy rains.
Mr Ndejembi, accompanied by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), the Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government) and Kinondoni District leaders, also directed councils to improve waste collection services.
He said local authorities should ensure residents have reliable places to dispose of waste and that rubbish is collected before it ends up in rivers and drainage channels.
The Vice President instructed environmental and community development officers to intensify public education on proper waste disposal, saying government interventions would have limited impact if residents continued dumping waste indiscriminately.
He also directed Kinondoni District authorities to establish designated waste disposal points so residents can easily identify where to take their rubbish.
The measure is intended to reduce illegal dumping and prevent waste from entering waterways, where it can obstruct water flow and increase environmental and public health risks.
Addressing residents living along the Ng’ombe River, Mr Ndejembi urged them to take greater responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
He said environmental protection required cooperation between government authorities and communities, rather than relying on public institutions alone.
The Vice President also directed authorities to ensure bridges crossing the Kiboko River at Pakacha and Sokoni remain passable during the rainy season.
The crossings are used by residents for their daily social and economic activities, making their condition particularly important during periods of heavy rainfall.
The directive comes as preparations for the rainy season put pressure on authorities to address areas where waste, drainage and infrastructure weaknesses could disrupt communities.
For residents living along the waterways, however, the immediate test will be whether the orders translate into regular waste collection, cleaner riverbanks and crossings that remain usable when heavy rains arrive.