When Dar es Salaam played host to another of The Economist conferences, the poor state of infrastructure received too many a mention.

The business community was very much concerned with poor services at the Dar es Salaam port, railways and road network among others.

Now it is confirmed; poor infrastructure is eroding investors' confidence. It is eroding our competitiveness as a business destination.

The recent World Economic Conference (Wef) report titled Global Competitiveness Index 2008-09 cites poor road and railway networks and inadequate power supply as causes of an unsatisfactory business environment in Tanzania. No wonder the country has dropped from 97th position last year to 113th.

As we continue to spend millions of dollars in promoting Tanzania as an investment destination, it is good to note that it is global indices like this one that investors use to make decisions. Thus addressing these bottlenecks should be a matter of priority to the relevant organs. The public at large should be sensitised to exercise more responsibility where it is expected.

It is disturbing to hear that people continue to vandalise existing infrastructure for various personal gains, including the scrap business.

That is why Energy and Minerals Minister William Ngeleja's call to wananchi that protection of infrastructure as a joint task is timely.