THE Deputy Minister of State in the Vice-President's Office (Environment), Charles Kitwanga, has directed the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC) to take to task Double Tree Hotel for violating Environmental Management Act.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting the hotel located along the Indian Ocean in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Mr Kitwanga also said all hotels on the shores should submit a report that indicates how they manage the waste water. "All hotels should abide by the Environmental Management Act.

The hotels should have the water treatment plant to avoid discharging effluent water into the sea," said the deputy minister. NEMC Lawyer, Mr Manchare Heche, said the hotel faces a penalty of 50m/- over infringement of the act, saying the council prepares charges on the act maltreatment to be submitted to the hotel within two weeks.

Mr Sven Lippinghof, who is the Double Tree hotel manager, declined to comment on the matter, saying he would be able to comment after the matter is discussed by the hotel's Board of Directors.

The Deputy Minister was on a two-day tour to inspect industries and hotels along the shores in the city, whereby he said most of the city based industries lacked water treatment plant as required by the Environmental Management Act.

Meanwhile, the Coca Cola Kwanza Company plans to establish the empty bottles collection centres in Dar es Salaam in February 2013. The Coca Cola Kwanza Company General Manager, Mr Basil Gadzios, said the move is aimed at promoting environmental protection, saying the move would also provide the people with employment.