TANZANIA’S Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Mr Saidi Othman Yakubu, has pledged to strengthen cooperation with the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) to mobilise support for improving infrastructure and promoting the Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings World Heritage Site.
The pledge came during his recent visit to the remarkable Kolo Rock Art Site in Kondoa District, Dodoma Region, where he assessed ongoing conservation and tourism promotion efforts.
The Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006 in recognition of their outstanding collection of ancient rock paintings preserved on rock-shelter walls in central Tanzania.
The historical site, which is managed by TFS, attracts at least 7,000 visitors annually. However, the Agency is implementing various initiatives aimed at improving the site and attracting more domestic and international tourists.
Ambassador Yakubu said his visit was important in enabling him to personally assess the condition and management of a site that forms part of Tanzania’s World Heritage heritage.
“I’m very pleased to be here. As the Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, it is my duty to see for myself how this site, which has been recognised as a World Heritage Site, is being managed and promoted,” he said.
He pledged to use his position and influence to explore opportunities for securing additional support to facilitate the installation and improvement of key infrastructure at the site.
“To be honest, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Government and TFS for their professional efforts to further improve and promote this historical site,” he said.
The Ambassador also urged TFS to develop and submit proposals to access funding opportunities provided through UNESCO programmes, particularly those aimed at improving the site’s environment, conservation and infrastructure.
“This is our heritage, and we have every reason to be proud of it. It is important for public servants, teachers and students to organise regular educational visits to this area. This will increase its visibility while also generating more revenue for the country,” he said.
For his part, the Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings Site Manager, Mr Zuberi Mabie, said TFS was working closely with the parent ministry to further improve the area.
Mr Mabie commended Ambassador Yakubu for visiting the site and for providing useful directives aimed at supporting the continued development and promotion of the rock paintings.
ABOUT KONDOA IRANGI ROCK PAINTINGS
The Kondoa Irangi Rock Paintings comprise a collection of ancient and protected rock-art sites in central Tanzania’s Dodoma Region. The sites feature thousands of prehistoric paintings spread across numerous rock shelters and locations.
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006, the paintings provide valuable evidence of thousands of years of human history, reflecting changing traditions, cultures and ways of life among communities that inhabited the area.
The site remains an important cultural and historical tourism attraction, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience Tanzania’s ancient artistic heritage while supporting conservation and local economic development.