UNDP/GEF RAF/92/G32
Pollution Control and Other Measures
to Protect Biodiversity in Lake Tanganyika.
Report of Mobilisation Visit
A. Menz (Project Coordinator) and
K. Banister (Scientific Liaison Officer)
25 September to 25 October 1995
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. The principal aim of this short visit by the Project Coordinator and the Scientific
Liaison Officer was to meet senior officials in key Government departments and
UNDP offices in all four countries, to make personal contact with them, bring them up
to date on progress, ascertain current willingness to collaborate and note any
constraints. This was accomplished in Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia but not in Zaire
where owing to time constraints Kinshasa was not visited.
2. All those visited were glad to hear that the project was entering its implementation
phase and there remains a strong commitment to support and participate in the project.
There was some concern, however, that more detail of the NRI proposal had not been
forwarded earlier through UNDP offices. The only slight exception to full support was
encountered from the Burundi Ministry for Land Management and the Environment
which felt that the change of location of the project HQ from Burundi to Tanzania was
not justified and had in any case been poorly handled, there having been no
consultation with GoB. It is important for project implementation that this matter be
clarified through official channels, although there are no immediate indications that
implementation will be disrupted.
3. Several of the officials visited rightly placed much importance on the need for
early stakeholder meetings in the four countries. It is of course the intention of the
PCU that this will be undertaken as soon as possible but if it is to be achieved together
with full circulation for comment of the Background Review Papers, currently being
prepared in the UK, before the planned Inception workshop the current time table
of activities leading to the production of the Preliminary Strategic Plan at the end of
Phase one will have to be reviewed. It is recommend that all milestones be moved by
one month. This to be discussed with UNOPS/GEF in early December.
4. It has been agreed that the Environment Department of the Ministry of Tourism,
Natural Resources and Environment will be the lead institution for Tanzania and
hopefully Mr Mugurusi the Director will be confirmed as the National Coordinator. It
is important that nominated National Coordinators be at the Director level such that
they have sufficient clout to call stakeholder meetings and implement decisions, even
if some of the day to day tasks be delegated to a deputy.
5. In Burundi Dr Bikwemu Gaspard Director General of INECN (Institute for the
Environment and Conservation of Nature) Ministry of Environment, is the nominated
National Coordinator. In spite of his disappointment at not hosting the project
headquarters he seemed keen on working with the project and was the only person in
the region to have taken any action regarding the formation of a local working group
of representatives of the key institutions.
6. Burundi remains at security alarm phase three, and the situation is clearly far from
stable. This essentially precludes long term expatriate staff (including those from
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other participating countries) and travel into the interior. Work on the lake itself
however should not be a problem if the situation remains the same or improves.
7. The FAO/FINNIDA project, Research for the Management of the Fisheries on Lake
Tanganyika, (LTR), continues to function well out of Bujumbura and will be a key
project for collaboration including the use of the research vessel the R/V Explorer,
the FAO managed lake circulation sub-component, and in a number of other areas
where their experience and current presence in lake shore stations in three of the four
countries (all except Zaire) is of potentially great use to our project. Good relations
have been established with the Project Coordinator Mr G Hanek and others involved
with the LTR project management and it is expected that these will continue and lead
to productive collaboration.
8. Owing to the time required for a return trip from Dar-es-Salaam Kinshasa was not
visited on this trip although a visit to the . Centre for Hydrobiolgical Research
(C.R.H.) at Uvira was made. The person that has been recommended as National
Coordinator for Zaire is a Mr Mady Amule at the Ministry for the Environment,
Conservation of Nature and Tourism confirmation will have to await a visit to
Kinshasa which will be made by the PC from Dar-es-Salaam as soon as possible.
9. The Director of C.R.H. was in Kinshasa at the time of our visit but a meeting was
held with all other senior staff. The main point arising was that this very able group
felt that they had not been involved in or received the level of support they had
expected from the LTR project and hoped that they would receive more benefit from
the GEF project. We assured them that we had every intention that this would be so.
In discussing the use of Kalemie as a possible centre for project activities it was
encouraging to note that they supported this and said that there would be no problem
for staff to move if required.
10. In Zambia it is now generally accepted that the lead organisation will be the
Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) and the National Coordinator is expected to
be Mr Julius J. Kanyembo the Deputy Director of the ECZ. The ECZ is a statutory
body which receives a grant from the Government to finance its operations.
Unfortunately the Council does not have any executive authority but is essentially
advisory. Nevertheless, it does have on its board 28 ministers, 4 eminent persons and
is chaired by Mr E.F Barclay from the private sector and is thus and excellent
umbrella organisation for coordination of Project activities.
11. UNDP Programme managers were met in Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia. It was
clear in all cases that the role of the UNDP office with respect to the project was
unclear as it did not fit the pattern of other UNDP projects. All officers asked that that
clarification be sought from UNOPS. It does appear to be accepted, however, that the
Dar-es-Salaam UNDP office will undertake the formal clearance for individuals
where necessary (Menz and Banister in progress), clearance of goods and registration
of vehicles. However, it is important to establish what other areas of interaction there
will be between the PCU and UNDP local offices. For example, whether or not more
3
formal communications with senior ministry officials (e.g. at PS and Minister level)
should come from the UNDP office directly rather than the project PCU. The higher
the profile the project can attain the better.
12. Arrangements have been made for house and office accommodation for the PCU
in Dar-es-Salaam and Kigoma. In Dar-es-Salaam the office of the Project Coordinator
and his staff will be within the British Council building and will form part of a
contract between NRI and BC for the provision of office space and furniture and
various office support services which will reduce the overall cost and increase the
efficiency of operating the office.
13. In Kigoma, where housing is in very short supply, a house has been rented for
the Scientific Liaison Officer which has sufficient space to house an office until the
office and laboratory facility to be built on the TAFIRI site is completed.
14. Some detail of office and lab space, communications and transport were obtained
for the proposed lake shore work stations at Kigoma, Bujumbura, Mpulungu and
Uvira. The are good logistic reasons however why Kalemie might be a good
alternative or indeed additional station to Uvira and this will be investigated when
further when the SLO takes up post on 16 November.
15. Local personnel recruitment was not actively pursued during the visit owning to
the complex nature of the project which entails a large number of potential
collaborating organisations and the fact that much of the detailed planning for
implementation of the special studies and other activities is still in progress. It was
felt that any detailed discussion of personnel requirements at this stage could have
led to misunderstanding and disappointment if staffing plans changed.
16. The SLO took up post in Kigoma on 16 November 1995 the PC will take up post
in the second week of December. The departure of the PC was delayed so that he
could be involved in important preliminary activities in UK including the setting up
of Baseline Review Studies.
2. INTRODUCTION
The principal purpose of this short visit by the Project Coordinator (PC) and the
Scientific Liaison Officer (SLO) was to meet senior officials in key Government
departments and UNDP offices in all four countries, to make personal contact with
them, bring them up to date on progress, ascertain current willingness to collaborate
and note any constraints. A secondary purpose was to establish house and office
accommodation for the PC and the SLO. The importance of early meetings with key
officials had been highlighted during the follow-up site visit of T. Bostock in July
when it was clear that most had little knowledge of what stage of the process toward
implementation of the project had reached and this has resulted in some discontent.
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This has important implications for the Phase 1 timetable. Currently the deadline for
delivery of the Baseline Reviews is late December; it is essential that all the main
players have the opportunity to view and comment on the reviews and the outlines of
the special study work plans they will contain, before the Inception Workshop. In
order to accommodate this and ensure that the institutional aspects are thoroughly
covered; which can only sensibly be achieved by the PC and SLO on the ground, we
strongly recommend that the current timetable be moved by one month such that the
Inception report be delivered at the end of February and the Preliminary Strategic Plan
by the end of March. Such a change in the timetable will also be required if
stakeholder meetings are to be held in all four countries before the workshop.
Originally it had been intended that the mobilisation visit would also serve to initiate
the recruitment of local staff, this was not actively pursued during the visit owning to
the complex nature of the project which entails a large number of potential
collaborating organisations and the fact that much of the detailed planning for
implementation of the special studies and other activities is still in progress. It was
felt that any detailed discussion of personnel requirements at this stage could have
led to misunderstanding and disappointment if staffing plans changed. In addition the
detailed planning of financial arrangements in the field by the proposed consultant has
been postponed until the PC is in post and the detailed requirements for the financial
interface between NRI and UNOPS is clearly established.
2.1 Principal objectives:
1. Visit officials in key Government departments and UNDP offices in all four
countries to make personal contact, bring them up to date on progress, ascertain
current willingness to collaboration and any perceived constraints. As far as
possible investigate current availability of infrastructure and staff in putative lake
shore bases.
2. Identify National Coordinators.
3. Locate or establish availability of suitable accommodation for PC in Dar-es-
Salaam and SLO in Kigoma.
4. Establish administrative arrangements and office accommodation in Dar-es-
Salaam and Kigoma; open project bank accounts and investigate means of
servicing sub-imprest accounts in lake shore bases; assess current situation
regarding security, transport and communications.
5. Investigate local availability and costs of supplies, especially vehicles, in Dar-es-
Salaam.
3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO BC AND LTR
5
We should like to acknowledge the most valuable assistance received from the
British Council in Dar-es-Salaam and Zambia and the LTR project in Bujumbura who
provided transport and other logistical support.
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4. MAIN POINTS FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS OF KEY
INSTITUTIONS.
It was not the intention during this visit to make contact with all stakeholders but
primarily to alert the main players to project progress and the proposed timetable of
main events up to the production of the Preliminary Strategic Plan at the end of Phase
I. The time required to make constructive visits to all parties main and auxiliary and
potential will be considerable for each country and will best be organised and
implemented from within the region. Added advantage of a clearer view of exactly
what role the different parties are likely to play.
4.1 Tanzania
Mr Sylvester Sisila, Programme officer, (Environment Natural Resources and
Energy) UNDP.
It was clear that the role of the UNDP office with respect to the project was unclear as
it did not fit the pattern of other UNDP projects and Mr Sisila asked that clarification
be sought from UNOPS.( It should be noted that this was the situation in all UNDP
offices visited). It does appear to be accepted, however, that the Dar-es-Salaam
UNDP office will undertake the formal clearance for individuals where necessary
(Menz and Banister in progress), clearance of goods and registration of vehicles.
We explained the role anticipated for the British Council (BC) regarding office
services and he was content with this arrangement. He was not sure if the project
would be exempt of the 30% sales tax on local purchases in line with other UNDP
managed projects and he requested that the project write formally to the Resident
Representative requesting confirmation of the services we will required.
With regard to the project he said he anticipated that the maintenance of coordination
and cooperation across the four countries would be a particularly onerous task and
stressed the importance of as much participation of local counterparts as possible to
avoid the project being seen as a type of "construction contract", with experts coming
in doing the job and leaving. The large element of training and institution building in
the project was pointed out as was the low level of international expertise relative to
the tasks covered by the project which would was intended to avoid that problem.
Peter Llewellyn, Deputy Director, British Council.
Much of the discussion with Peter Llewellyn concerned accommodation and services
for the PCU and are reported on elsewhere,(6.1.2.). Regarding BC professional
involvement in the Environmental Education and other training aspects of the project,
we had hoped to have more detailed discussions during the expected visit to Dar-es-
Salaam of Julian Quan who will take the NRI lead on these aspects. Unfortunately Mr
Llewellyn was due to take leave during the only dates available for all of us to meet.
Julian Quan is planning a visit in December to pursue these matters together with an
environmental education expert.
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Mr Eric Kamoga Mugurusi, Director of Environment Department. Ministry of
Tourism, Natural Resources and Environment.
It was agreed during the NRI site visit in January 1995 that the Environment
Department will be the lead institution and hopefully Mr Mugurusi will be confirmed
as the National Coordinator for Tanzania. He suggested that this role could be
delegated to one of his subordinates as occurred with the Lake Victoria GEF
biodiversity project. We stressed on Mr Mugurusi that whereas he may wish to
delegate some of the day to day tasks, given the complex cross-sectoral nature of the
project it was important that someone of his seniority, who is in regular contact with
other department heads and more senior officials should be the National Coordinator.
He accepted this view and said he would arrange a meeting with the Principal
Secretary of the Ministry to discuss it further on my return. In the event the PS was
not available.
We discussed the need for an early meeting of stakeholders and the make up of
national working groups and the regional Steering Committee. We agreed that the
latter should be at PS level to ensure that any decisions taken have a better chance of
being implemented in a timely fashion.
Mr Mbwana, Executive Secretary of the GEF Lake Victoria Biodiversity Project.
A very useful discussion on matters relating especially to the committee/task force
structure being set up for the GEF Lake Victoria project. This project has some
similarities to the Lake Tanganyika project but in many ways has a more well defined
structure to which task forces can be assigned. He provided me with a copy of "The
Tripartite Agreement and Program Preparation Framework" for the Lake Victoria
Environmental Management Plan.
Mr Tom Maembe, Director of the Fisheries Department. Ministry of Tourism,
Natural Resources and the Environment.
Mr Maembe expressed his concern that since the NRI visit in July he had not received
any word from UNDP on project developments. We explained the schedule for phase
I, and assured him that the PC or the National Coordinator would be in regular
contact from now on. He had a few gripes about the FAO/FINNIDA project which
probably stem from a feeling of being dictated to rather than being consulted, or
possibly owing to being somewhat overshadowed by TAFIRI. This is, however,
almost inevitable on a project such as the LTR which, in its first years of operation at
least, has been largely research, which is TAFIRI's remit. It is notable that Mr
Maembe has not yet formally accepted John Graig's (biometrician LTR project) move
from Bujumbura to Kigoma. Mr Maembe also expressed concern that he had had no
consultation on the circulation modelling proposal being put forward by FAO to
UNOPS. There are clearly ruffled feathers here which will have to be soothed.
Nevertheless he was keen to support and cooperate with the project and from the PCs
experience on the Lake Malawi project he can be expected to play his part.
8
Professor Bwathondi, Director of TAFIRI.
As before keen to cooperate and offer all services at Kigoma which were indeed
forthcoming during the SLO's visit to Kigoma. He emphasised the problems of
tele-communications. There is, for example, no functioning telephone in his offices
which is about 45 minutes drive north of Dar-es-Salaam. It was explained that the
project was investigating means of improving telecommunications including the
possibility of satellite links. He broached the subject of training especially for
zooplankton and phytoplankton. It was explained that the project intended to take a
strategic view of training needs throughout the Lake basin with regard to what skills
and knowledge the various key institutions would require to implement the eventual
strategy for management of the lake, but that the planning of the training component
would have an early priority.
Mr D. Chitamwebwe, Director of TAFIRI station at Kigoma.
A very able and enthusiastic scientist who will clearly be a great asset to the project.
Assisted the SLO in all matters during his visit. Once again poorly briefed on project
progress, but that now remedied.
Eng. William E. Uronu, Assistant Commissioner, Sewerage, Drainage and
Environmental Sanitation. Ministry of water, energy and minerals.
An important institution with respect to the project because the Commissioner
effectively controls most activities that take place in the Tanzanian part of the lake's
water shed. He reiterated his support for the project and was pleased to see progress
being made and get a copy of the proposal.
Mr David Salmon, Natural Resources Adviser, Overseas Development
Administration, UK.
An old friend and useful contact especially if activities suitable for ODA funding are
developed as the project progresses. (e.g. ODA are putting £2m into a biodiversity
conservation project - Mamiraua flooded forest project - Amazon basin). He gave me
information on the Informal Donor Group on Environment, led by Bob Hansen at the
Dutch Embassy. This is a monthly gathering of representatives from most of the major
donor organisations with offices in Dar-es-Salaam, who have an interest in
environmental matters and thus provides a useful forum for inter-donor
communication.
Mr Bob Hansen, Second Secretary (Development) Royal Netherlands Embassy.
We discussed the Informal Donor Group on Environment and the possibility of my
attending their meetings. He said that as far as he was concerned he thought it would
be a good idea and would mention it at their November meeting. Alan Rogers, Project
Coordinator of the FAO/UNDP/GEF project "Institutional support to the Protection of
East African Biodiversity" is a member of the group. Unfortunately Alan Rogers was
not in Tanzanian during the mobilisation visit.
Keith Banister met with Hans Fleischer who is involved with shipping ornamental
fish from the lake to Zanzibar where they are kept until reshipped to their final
9
destinations. The value of this contact is that the chartered aircraft fly empty to
Kalemie and Fleischer would be willing to ferry goods and people from Dar-es-
Salaam to Kigoma and Kalemie at very competitive rates (possibly free) provided
requirements fitted with their schedule.
Mr George Struden, Lake Tanganyika Catchment, Reforestation and Education
Project, (TACHRE). EU funded.
Very helpful and has extensive contacts throughout the catchment areas.
4.2 Burundi
Mr Aloys Mabonimana (Charge de programme); Aurelien Agbenonci (Deputy
Resident Representative, UNDP.
The discussion centred around the security situation and the change of location of the
PCU from Burundi to Tanzania. The security situation was described as being quiet
at present but that Burundi remained at alarm stage three which meant that no officers
could be accompanied and that everyone on UNDP projects had to be equipped with
VHF radios and linked to the central UN security system. The current 2100h to 0700h
curfew must be strictly adhered to. Travel outside Bujumbura and the second city
Gitega is not advisable. A recent article in the Economist suggests that the current
apparent stability in Bujumbura is certainly not country wide and is very precarious at
present.
As might be expected the Burundi authorities are very sensitive on this issue and tend
to play it down. Consequently they see no reason for the move of the PCU on security
grounds. Furthermore, there was a belief in Burundi that the PCU had been moved at
NRI's instigation such that it would be located in an anglophone rather than
francophone country. We explained that this was most certainly not the case and that
this could be demonstrated by referral to the original NRI project proposal which
located the PCU in Bujumbura. [See below notes on meeting with Minister of
Environment].
INECN (Institute for the Environment and Conservation of Nature) Ministry of
Environment. Dr Bikwemu Gaspard, Director General.
INECN will be the lead organisation for the project in Burundi and Dr Gaspard has
been nominated the National Coordinator. He is very amiable, apparently influential,
enthusiastic and keen on building up, what appears to be, a fledgling organisation and
clearly sees this project as an important step in that direction. He said that he had been
appointed National Coordinator to the project by the Minister for the Environment and
promised a copy of the letter, but this was not forthcoming by the time we left.
Nevertheless he is the obvious and acceptable candidate for the post. He had already
drawn up a list of delegates for the National Working Group and written asking for
the Ministers agreement. Although this was a unilateral action with no reference
having been made to the PCU it does demonstrate initiative and enthusiasm for the
project.. No similar action has been initiated in any of the other countries.
10
He spent some time saying how upset he and GoB were that PCU had been moved
and was eloquent on the point that the project originated from a symposium held in
Bujumbura and the advantages of Bujumbura as the main centre for the project such
as the economic importance of lake to Bujumbura, the facilities available etc. etc. He
was surprised when we were eventually able to explain that NRI had played no role in
moving the PCU. In spite of his comments regarding the PCU location he seemed
keen on the project and showed us the INECN building in Bujumbura near the
University campus (INECN main office is in Gitega). This consists of quite a
spacious, but largely unoccupied, 2 storey building with offices and a small new
laboratory being built, under the direction of an Italian consultant, for "pollution
studies". Dr Gaspard was unable to give details of the type of analyses that would be
carried out in the laboratory but said they were related to industrial pollution. Office
space would be available for the project if required. No technical staff are currently
attached to INECN.
Meeting with the Minister for Land Management and the Environment, Dr
Bankamwabo Ignace. Also present, Directure de Cabinet de Misistre, Mr
Gahungu Frederie, Aloys Mabonimana and Bikwemu Gaspard.
This was a meeting over dinner arranged and orchestrated by Gaspard. The Minister
was very amiable but as soon as the formalities were over, in which he expressed
great interest and support for the project, the subject of change of PCU location was
raised. He stated that the official position was that a unilateral change had been made
by UNOPS to an agreement (the project document), signed by the four countries and
UNOPS, without consultation with the other parties. A letter drawing attention to the
Ministry's concern over the change had been sent to UNDP but no reply had been
received. The GoB did not accept the change and was currently considering its
position on the matter. We explained that NRI had been instructed to relocate the PCU
due to the perceived poor security situation in Burundi and hoped that a formal
explanation would be forthcoming from UNDP in due course, but as NRI was under
contract to implement the project we would wish to continue our preparations in
Burundi and elsewhere unless we received direct instructions to the contrary. The
Minister accepted NRI's position but reiterated that he did not believe the security
situation warranted the change in location of the PCU. The UNDP representative
present said he would take the matter up within his office. It was stressed to the
Minister that the change meant very little materially as only two long term senior
posts were involved and no loss by Burundi of new infrastructure. And furthermore
that all technical work planned for Burundi waters would still take place provided
there was no deterioration in the level of security.
The following day Mr Aloys (UNDP) contacted us to say that he had spoken to the
Charge de Cabinet and had stressed to him that initiating what could result in a tug of
war between the governments of Burundi and Tanzania was politically undesirable
and would certainly be detrimental to the whole project. Furthermore, he pointed out
that they should proceed with care because as yet Burundi was not a signatory of the
Convention of Biological Diversity and might not strictly be entitled to funds.
Unfortunately by this time the Minister had already written to the Ministry for Foreign
11
Affairs. Mr Aloys noted that both the Minister and the charge de cabinet were
academics very new to politics and government.
The current situation is clearly undesirable for effective project implementation and
hopefully UNDP/UNOPS will resolve this matter as soon as possible.
Mr George Hanek, Project Coordinator. FAO/FINNIDA Lake Tanganyika
Research Project.
Mr Hanek was extremely helpful generally and in particular regarding logistical help
during our visit, providing transport to most of our meetings and making
arrangements for visa and transport to Uvira. Previous promises of full cooperation
were reiterated and a broad range of administration and operational matters were
discussed providing much useful information. Regards payments to staff from
national institutions working with LTR at the 4 lake shore stations (Bujumbura,
Uvira, Kigoma and Mpulungu), he explained that they worked part time on the
project and were paid a "bonus" by the project for their work. The amount was $20,
$40 or $60 US per month according to grade, qualifications and responsibilities.
We were unable to visit the R/V Explorer as preparations were underway for a visit by
the President on the following Monday as part of the UN 50 years celebrations. As the
GEF special study work plans are still in preparation no detailed discussion of use of
the vessel was entered into.
Mr Hanek reiterated his invitation for representatives of the GEF project to attend the
Fourth Joint Meeting of the LTR's coordination and international scientific
committees on 14-16 November at which general collaboration and vessel use can be
discussed in more detail.
Mr Roger Kanyaru, Director, Department of Waters, Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Ministry of Agriculture.
Keen to collaborate and offered office space if required. This could be very useful
and would be the most convenient location base for activities in Burundi.
Nevertheless, we would probably be expected to use the office space on offer by
INECN and it would be politic to take this up unless there were overriding logistic
reasons. Fortunately we did not get the impression that this would worry the Mr
Kanyaru whereas setting up anything other than temporary offices in Fisheries
Department would almost certainly offend INECN.
Dr Luc de Vos, Senior scientist, Belgium funded Centre Regional de Recherche
en Hydrobiologia.
The staff work on fish biodiversity etc. in Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi feeder streams as
well as Lake Tanganyika. Promised total cooperation help and support which will no
doubt prove extremely valuable.
Dr A. Niyonzima, Department of Planning, Ministry of Planning, Construction
and Development.
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Dr Niyonzima was unaware of the project but enthusiastic and keen to assist.
Probably not a key department but a useful contact.
4.3 Zaire
Owing to the time required for a return trip to from Dar-es-Salaam Kinshasa was not
visited on this trip. It is, of course, essential therefore that Kinshasa be visited at the
earliest opportunity. Security does not appear to be a serious problem in Zaire on the
lake shore at present.
The person that has been recommended as National Coordinator for Zaire is a Mr
Mady Amule at the Ministry for the Environment, Conservation of nature and
Tourism but confirmation of this will have to wait until a visit is made to Kinshasa.
Nevertheless, we did visit Uvira and one of the principal scientific groups that will be
involved in the project.
Center for Hydrobiolgical Research (C.R.H.) Uvira. The acting director was in
Kinshasa when we visited but we were able to meet with most of the senior staff.
Unfortunately the highly thought of Mr Gashagaza (Director) had departed several
months previously for unknown reasons and was last heard to be in Nairobi. (Recent
information indicates he has returned to Uvira as Director). The main point arising at
the meeting was that this very able group (consensus from all sources) felt that they
had not been involved in or received the level of support they had expected from the
LTR project and hoped that they would receive far more benefit from the GEF
project. We assured them that we had every intention that this would be so. In
discussing the use of Kalemie as a possible centre for project activities it was
encouraging to note that they supported this and said that there would be no problem
for staff to move if required. When visiting Kinshasa they recommended that contact
be made with the Director of their liaison office in Kinshasa a Mr Goboro Likwani.
The Japanese project that was carrying out work in Uvira has now moved the centre
of its attention to Mpulungu, Zambia.
4.4 Zambia
Catherine Chatham, Deputy Director, British Council, Lusaka.
Extremely helpful in all matters including provision of transport and arranging
meetings. Very keen to collaborate with environmental education and training aspects
of project with lead taken by BC Tanzania. Discussed various initiatives already
underway in Zambia in this field, such as the Zambian Environmental Education
Programme and the ODA funded AIEMS project which provides resource centres for
teachers throughout the region. One such resource centre is planned for Mabala which
is close to Mpulungu. Ms Chatham said that she had been told that the Director of the
National Parks and Wildlife service had expressed concern that they were not properly
involved in the project. It later transpired that this stemmed from a general lack of up-
13
to-date information on project progress and the assumption that activities were already
underway.
We discussed the problem of "seating allowances" in which participants expect to be
paid merely for attending local meetings and workshops. In Tanzania some donors
are paying up to $20 per day. This is understandably frowned upon by the BC but if
pressed they may pay the standard BC day-rate subsistence allowance of £5.15. The
project will have to take a stance on this issue from the start. The disadvantages of
such payments are clear; distortion of remuneration within departments leading to
resentment and jealousy, inappropriate people attending meetings etc. Nevertheless
some incentive might be necessary.
Mr Julius J. Kanyembo, Deputy Director, Environmental Council of Zambia.
It is generally accepted that the lead organisation will be the Environmental Council
of Zambia (ECZ) which is involved in several other projects, including one aimed at
the development of a GIS system, and is developing a good track record. The ECZ is a
statutory body which receives a grant from the government to finance its operations.
Unfortunately, however, the Council does not have any executive authority but is
essentially advisory. Nevertheless, it does have on its board 28 ministers, 4 eminent
persons and is chaired by Mr E.F Barclay from the private sector. It is thus and
excellent umbrella organisation for coordination. Within its structure the ECZ has a
"natural resources inspectorate" consisting of three sections dealing with land use,
biodiversity conservation and ecological impact assessment. One of main current
activities of the ECZ is working on the harmonisation of legislation under a UNDP
funded project. In 1994 a "State of Environment in Zambia" was produced (funded
by NORAD and CIDA; copy obtained). Also of interest is the fact that the University
of Zambia has recently established a biodiversity club in the School of Geography.
(contact Dr Chabwera)
We discussed the role of National Coordinator and agreed that Mr Kanyembo himself
would probably be the most appropriate candidate. This will need to be confirmed
through his director and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Environment and
Natural Resources.
Mr Chipungu, Programme Officer, UNDP
Mr Chipungu was pleased to hear that the project was underway and offered
assistance but he was unclear of the role of the UNDP office because funding
arrangements were different to other GEF projects in which his office had a
management role. It was explained that the lack of clarity vis-à-vis the role of UNDP
offices was common to all three countries visited and that clarification would be
sought from UNOPS and GEF. He agreed that Principal/Permanent Secretary was
the correct level of official for the Steering Committee as they formed the link
between the political and the administration wings of government. This raised the
question of how formal nomination of delegates to the Steering Committee should be
handled. Presumably this should be done by letters from UNDP local offices to the
appropriate Ministers, this will be taken up in New York.
14
Mr Magusi, Deputy Director, Department for Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Fisheries.
He was pleased to hear project had advanced to this stage and reiterated the support of
the department including the provision of some laboratory space at Mpulungu but
seemed vague on exactly what was available. He pointed out that Nsumbu was very
difficult to reach by road from Mpulungu and took three hours by boat. The SLO will
make a full site visit to Mpulungu shortly after taking up post in mid-November. Mr
Maguasi suggested that messages to Fisheries Department Lusaka are best sent to the
FAO office.
Mr Ackim Mwenya, Director & Mr Henry Mwima, Chief Wildlife Research
Officer. National Parks and Wildlife Service.
They were keen to be involved and noted that now there were regular commercial
flights to an air-strip near the Nsumbu National Park and that the lodges there were
now in private ownership (at least one is owned by Gametrakers Ltd). At present they
have one park ranger at their research station in Nsumbu but were vague on the exact
facilities available and suggested a visit.
David Cope, Field Officer, VSO.
As a potential source of skilled manpower especially in the early stages of the VSO
would be a good option as mentioned in the project proposal. We discussed the modus
operandi and it seems it would be difficult, if we so wished, to get someone in post
before Oct. 1996. In remote places such as Mpulungu the option of taking on a couple
is also a possibility. VSO would be very keen to assist and would recruit based
entirely on our requirements. Obviously this would apply to Zambia and Tanzania
only.
5. PROJECT CO-ORDINATION UNIT - ACCOMMODATION AND
OFFICES
5.1 Dar-es-Salaam
The project coordination unit in Dar-es-Salaam will, initially, consist of A Menz the
Project Coordinator, an Accountant a Personal Assistant to the PC and the
Information Officer. All but the PC will be locally contracted and thus will not require
the project to provide housing.
5.1.1 HOUSING
It is expected that whenever possible project staff passing through Dar-es-Salaam will
be accommodated by the PC to ease the burden of subsistence payments. Thus, the
requirement is for a secure, 3-4 bedroom house with some guest facilities, within
about 1/2 hour drive of the city centre. Six houses were viewed during the visit
(arranged by British Council) and although none was quite what was required, due
mainly to the very poor fittings and fixtures on some and the bizarre layout of others,
it nevertheless gave a good idea of the type and quality of housing available and
15
desirable districts. Most houses are rented unfurnished although many have some
fitted furniture in bedrooms and occasionally in the living rooms.
Several areas of Dar-es-Salaam suffer severe water shortages and regular power cuts.
A generator is therefore essential to provide power and pump water to roof storage
tanks regularly. Day and night security guards are essential and are arranged through
one of two local firms.
Furthermore, in suburban districts, once off the metalled feeder roads the roads/tracks
leading to most properties are atrocious with large muddy hollows and ruts. Local
advice is that a 4 WD car is highly desirable to negotiate these roads in the rainy
season.
Reasonable quality local furniture is available at reasonable prices. Details were
collected from three stores. Prices of white goods are high and will need to be
compared with CIF prices from UK. Cookers will have to be bought locally to ensure
immediate delivery. It is intended that both the house in Dar-es-Salaam and that in
Kigoma will be furnished from Dar-es-Salaam.
There is clearly a fairly rapid turnover of houses and a reasonable number are on the
market at any one time thus there appeared to be no urgency to take one of the houses
currently available. The British Council have agreed to pass the word that we are
seeking a property for the beginning of December and will make arrangements to
view as many as possible within the first few days after the arrival of the PC who
should thus be housed within about 2 weeks of arrival.
5.1.2 OFFICE SPACE.
From the start three alternative arrangements for office accommodation were
identified: a) within the PC's house b) an independent office and c) within the British
Council building. From the houses viewed and local information it seems unlikely the
a house will be found, within budget, that will provide sufficient space to set up a
project office within the PC's home. Of the remaining two alternatives an
arrangement with the BC whereby a service contract is entered into with the BC has a
number of advantages. The BC has ample space in a well maintained building with a
back up generator and is located close to several of the key ministries and institutions
with which the project will be collaborating. Details were discussed at some length
with Peter Llewellyn Deputy Director at BC and with John Disney when he was in
Dar-es-Salaam and an outline drawn up of the type of services that would be
provided. These include:
· Travel agency services;
· local procurement of vehicles, arranging all documentation, maintaining and repair
of Dar based project vehicles;
16
· provision of advice on local staff contracts, local consultancy contracts. labour
laws, taxation and insurance. Remuneration rates etc.
· office electricity supply with back up generator;
· access to BC communications, including PO Box, twice weekly courier to UK,
telephones, fax and e-mail;
· all matters relating to PC's house, leasing, payment and liaison with service
companies etc.
· and provision of messenger/driver and office cleaning services.
This would appear to be by far the most cost effective and efficient way of setting up
the Dar-es-Salaam office, its principal advantages, apart from those mentioned above,
are that the PCU will not have to hire additional staff to help run and maintain the
office, nor will a driver be necessary. Apart from salary savings this will considerably
reduce the hidden costs of the PC spending more time than desirable on general office
and personnel management. From an operational point of view this is the preferred
option and on return to UK it was agreed that NRI would enter into such a services
contract with BC and a letter of intent issued.
5.1.3 STAFF
As part of the service contract BC will be required to place advertisements for and
accountant and PA such that shortlisting and interviews can take place on or shortly
after arrival of the PC.
5.2 Kigoma
The SLO will be based in Kigoma and will, initially, be supported by a General
Duties Officer/PA and a driver.
5.2.1 HOUSING
Prior to the visit we had been informed by TAFIRI staff that a house on the NORAD
housing complex was soon to become vacant and had been reserved for Keith
Banister SLO. This proved not to be the case and he was actually 3rd on the waiting
list and the first house would not become available until March 1996. Several possible
houses were visited but all were totally unsuitable.
There is great pressure on housing in the area because of UNHCR activities.
Eventually an excellent property was located and although the owner had wished to
sell and was also being courted by UNHCR to rent the property to them, the Director
of the station at Kigoma persuaded the owner to rent the property to the project, albeit
at the insistence that all 5 years rent was paid in advance. The disadvantages of this
17
are obvious but there being no alternative other than to build a house from scratch it
was accepted by NRI.
The property is fairly new, well built with four bedrooms and can thus accommodate
visiting scientist. It has good security being fenced in and close to the local police
station. Is within walking distance of the TAFIRI offices and laboratories and most
importantly has one of the more reliable supplies of electricity being on the power line
between the power station and the local Governors residence.
5.2.2 OFFICE ACCOMMODATION.
A temporary office will be set up in SLO's house until a new office/laboratory
building is completed on the TAFIRI site. A generator will be essential for this office
and expert advice will have to be sought to provide the optimum configuration for
protection against irregular and poor quality mains power and good back up.
5.2.3 STAFF.
Word was put out in Kigoma that the project was looking for staff. A driver currently
with TAFIRI is about to retire and has applied for the job; he will probably be taken
on. A Mr William Hausi who worked with Andy Cohen and speaks fluent English,
French and Kiswaili was met. He professes no great skills but was used a lot by Andy
Cohen for taking notes, office work and general handyman. Seemed intelligent
capable and willing and may be taken on as general support if required. It appears
unlikely that a suitable PA will be found in Kigoma and bringing someone from Dar-
es-Salaam will have to be considered, and the implications investigated as soon as the
SLO takes up post.
5.3 Vehicles
5.3.1 FOR PCU
It is intended that a long wheel-base diesel LandRover be supplied for the Kigoma
base immediately. The cost of this vehicle in Dar-es-Salaam ex bond is close to UK
purchase price and is available for immediate delivery. BC should be instructed to
purchase one and commence registration through UNDP as soon as possible.
A LandRover is not the most suitable vehicle for general use in and around Dar-es-
Salaam although as noted above a 4x4 vehicle is required, not only for use in Dar but
up-country also. Several models of Susuki, Toyota etc are available for immediate
delivery in Dar-es-Salaam and using the cost of a LandRover as a bench mark a
vehicle will be purchased when the PC takes up post.
5.3.2 OTHER VEHICLES
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It is not clear at present exactly what or when other vehicles will be required in the
other proposed lakeshore work stations. Currently it is being anticipated that one twin
cab diesel pick up (eg Toyota Hilux) will be required in four lake side locations.
Local and UK prices have been obtained. A vehicle can be driven from Dar-es-Salaam
to Zambia. For Burundi and Zaire the vehicles will have to be shipped via Bujumbura.
An early decision will be required as delivery dates to Dar-es-Salaam are about 2
months.
5.3.3 OTHER SUPPLIES:
Most consumable items are available but there is often little choice, prices are often
high and the quality poor. A two year supple of all items required, especially office
equipment and consumables. should be purchased in UK.
5.4 Finance
Project Bank accounts were set up at the National Bank of Commerce in Dar-es-
Salaam and Kigoma. The LTR project runs bank accounts in Bujumbura, Kigoma and
Mpulungu topped up directly from FAO in Rome. A similar system could be set up
for the GEF project, although who would run the required local imprest accounts in
sites other than Kigoma is an important operational issue which needs to be resolved.
Under the LTR project FAO contracted expatriate officers fill this role.
6. SUMMARY OF CURRENT INFORMATION ON PROPOSED
LAKESHORE WORK BASES FOR SPECIAL STUDIES.
During this visit it was possible to visit Kigoma, Bujumbura and Uvira only. Some
information was, however, obtained on Mpulungu (Zambia) and Kalemie (Zaire -
possible alternative to Uvira).
6.1 Kigoma
6.1.1 FACILITIES
Extensive rehabilitation of Tanzania's Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) facilities
at Kigoma have been carried out by the LTR. They now consist of a main building;
largish square block open in centre houses offices and "library" and large meeting
room; a second building facing lake houses storeroom laboratories and offices, and a
third building which is a l large store for which permission has been obtained to
demolish to make way for GEF project office, computer room and some lab space.
19
The whole is in a guarded compound with mains power supply, supplemented by a
geriatric generator which provides power during regular and increasingly frequent
mains power failures. Only 2 of 7 generators at power station currently function.
Project house - some accommodation for visiting senior scientists and temporary
office space.
TAFIRI Guest house. A block of 4 rooms each with 2 beds, shower and WC. In
compound with another large building which has a cooker, refrigerator with cook
available. This serves as general mess and communal room. Also in compound
TAFIRI refurbished house occupied by LTR (Lake Tanganyika Research) staff
member.
There are several cheap hotels (c. 7,000/-)and guest houses in town which would
suffice for short term stays.
6.1.2 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS.
Flights from Dar-es-Salaam Mondays and Fridays on 44 seater plane. Not very
reliable. Competition from smaller companies threatened but not yet happened.
Journey time about 4 hours with stop at Tabora.
Train, 2+ days to Dar-es-Salaam. Not very comfortable.
Boats: Regular services to Bujumbura and Mpulungu(and smaller ports) by two lake
steamers owned by Tanzanian Railways. Kigoma to Bujumbura overnight. Kigoma to
Mpulungu 2 days. Goods boats and hire boats run from Kigoma to Kalemie, c 8hrs.
Telephone and Fax communications with Dar-es-Salaam poor but contact can usually
be made with persistence.
HF radio for contact with Dar-es-Salaam and other LTR lakeshore stations. Fairly
reliable but suffers interference from local power station. (will have to investigate
suppression systems to resolve this)
In terms of general accessibility to the whole lake Kigoma is better located than
Bujumbura and provided telecommunications can be made more reliable, should
prove to be a very practical base for operations on the lake.
6.2 Bujumbura
6.2.1 SECURITY
During this visit there was no shooting in Bujumbura and apparently none had been
heard for the preceding two weeks. This was attributed to all the "rebels" having been
expelled from the city. Business appears to go on more or less as normal but there is a
strict curfew from 2100 to 0700h, and some businesses are obviously suffering.
20
Received wisdom is that the political situation in the country is extremely unstable
and could easily and quickly deteriorate. Recently all fishing had been prohibited for
one month for security reasons. Travel outside Bujumbura is not recommended and
UN security status remains at alarm stage 3, i.e. officers are unaccompanied. All
international agencies are linked by VHF radios to central UN security system. GEF
project staff working in Bujumbura will have to be provided with VHF sets and
instructed in security procedures.
6.2.2 FACILITIES
Fisheries department has ample office and storage space. Site of well equipped LTR
office, laboratories , library and stores, with whom project will be working closely.
Also site of Centre Regionale de Recherche en hydrobiologia (CRRHA) Funded by
Belgium government. Their staff work on fish biodiversity etc. in Zaire, Rwanda,
Burundi feeder streams as well as Lake Tanganyika. Staff of 8 with vehicles and boats
good scope for collaboration.
Fisheries department has scientific staff with time available but reportedly senior
scientists not keen on participating in field work. No boats other that R/V Explorer.
INECN (Institute for the Environment and Conservation of Nature) building near
university campus. Ample office space in self contained building currently being
refurbished and equipped with a small laboratory for pollution monitoring studies
details of which were not available when we visited.
Accommodation in local hotels - Source du Nile c $70 US per night.
6.2.3 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS.
Lake steamers - see Kigoma. Good international airport with regular flights to Europe
and major cities in region. Road link to Kigoma is good but definitely not safe to use
at present and for the foreseeable future. Good telecommunications systems.
HF radio links with Kigoma and Mpulungu experiencing some technical problems
with communications with Kigoma, but these are being rectified.
6.3 Uvira
6.3.1 FACILITIES
The Centre de Reserche Hydrobiologie is housed in a large well built and seemingly
sound building, in a state of some disrepair, close to the lake. There is ample space but
facilities and equipment are very poor. The staff agreed to compile a full list of
available equipment. There is often no mains power and they only have a small
generator suitable to power the HF radio.
There is an inflatable boat but no functioning outboard. They also have a larger
wooden boat in poor condition.
At first site it would appear that the building could quite easily be restored but George
Hanek of LTR told us that his project had paid for 3 structural surveys and all had
21
pronounced the building to be in such poor condition that it did not warrant any
attempt to restore it. He offered to provide us with copies of the surveyors reports and
KB will examine these on return.
Guest house close to Lake and office/lab building. Small hotels guest houses in town
used by fairly large contingent of aid workers.
6.3.2 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Reached by road from Bujumbura. Total journey time about 1hr plus c 40 mins for
border formalities. A single entry visa obtained in Bujumbura cost £62. Boats to
Kalemie and Kigoma.
No telephones although a cellular phone could be used to speak to Bujumbura. HF
radio mainly used for daily messages to Kinshasa. Flights to Kinshasa from
Bujumbura.
6.4 Mpulungu
6.4.1 FACILITIES
Some office and laboratory space refurbished by LTR project, and a small guest
house. The SLO will visit as soon as possible on return.
Privately run tourist travel lodges in Nsumbu national park but no doubt expensive
and access from Mpulungu by road very difficult. By boat about 3 hours. Good boat
available.
6.4.2 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone and fax and HF radio all function to some extent but generally poor.
Steamers - see Kigoma'
Road about 2 days from Lusaka and Kigoma on poor roads.
22
Itinerary: K. Banister and A. Menz
25 Sept.
KB to Kigoma
02 Oct.AM arrives Dar-es-Salaam
06 Oct.KB to Dar-es-Salaam
08 Oct.KB and AM to Bujumbura
11 Oct.KB & AM visit Uvira
13 Oct.KB & AM return to Dar-es-Salaam (John Disney NRI also in Dar)
15 Oct.KB returns to UK
18 Oct.AM to Lusaka
21 Oct.AM returns to Dar-es-Salaam
25 Oct.AM returns to UK.
23