Dodoma — ONLY eleven towns in the country have proper sewerage infrastructure to discard wastes, the Parliament was told here.

Deputy Minister of State (Vice President's Office, Environment), Mr Charles Kitwanga named the eleven towns as Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Arusha, Moshi, Morogoro, Dodoma, Mwanza, Mbeya, Tabora, Songea and Iringa.

Mr Kitwanga was responding to a basic question by Mr James Mbatia (Nominated MP- NCCR Mageuzi) who wanted to know government plans in ensuring sustainable environmental conservation. In his question, Mr Mbatia observed that some sewerage infrastructure in many towns was a source of polluting the environment.

Before 1997, the only towns that had good sewerage systems were Dar es Salaam and Tanga, which were inherited from the colonial era. "Considering the massive costs of putting in place sewerage infrastructure, the government in 1998 started constructing the same in other towns," he said.

In his supplementary question, Mr Mbatia also wanted to know what action is being taken against factory owners and other investors who channel wastes with chemicals to the Indian ocean that affect fish and the people who consume them. Minister Theresa Huvisa pointed out that the government would continue to inspect industries, factories and other businesses that discharge chemical into the ocean.

"There is evidence that there are people doing that, but we shall continue carrying out inspections, and take action until parties involved comply with regulations, like we did with Double Tree Hotel in Dar es Salaam recently," she said.