@Capt Hamza M, Omar (Rtd) (Executive secretary CODECOZ, Zanzibar): 

I am taking this opportunity to thank you for your kind contribution on this topic of importation of used electronic/electrical goods, which ultimately turned to e-waste. It is true that, the e-waste is a complex and dangerous environmental problem that is recently emerged in Zanzibar. As you may recall that, the Department of Environment managed to conduct a study on knowledge, attitudes and practices on used electrical and electronics equipment in Zanzibar in 2010. The objectives of the study were as follows:

• to carry out a qualitative study on the issues and trends of the Uused Electric and Electronic Equipment (UEEE) in Zanzibar.       
• to capture popular perceptions on environmetal effects of the UEEE in Zanzibar.
• to investigate the response effect of mitigations measures against UEEE in Zanzibar
• to develop recommendations towards setting of new environmental guidelines in efforts to control and regulate the import of UEEE/WEEE and all e-waste in Zanzibar.            

 Following that study, the Department of Environment, prepared the regulation to government the importation of the electronic and electric equipment. The draft of the regulation was shared in a stakeholders meetings and workshops that took place in June, 2011, Unguja and Pemba. Government, non actor’s organizations and business community particular deals with the equipment attended the meetings and workshops. Fortunately, CODECOZ, Unguja and Pemba was among the participants of the meetings. Useful contributions were collected through that consultative forum and were used to improve the regulation. Currently, the regulation is on the final stage of the government procedures. Furthermore, the Department of Environment is on the process of conducting community awareness program on this issue and we request the other to continue to do so.