TFS Sets Strategy to Improve Public Services and Better Working Environment for Youth.

Morogoro, February 19, 2026 — 

The Conservation Commissioner of the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, has urged leaders and station commanders of the agency to transform their leadership approach by listening to citizens, understanding newly employed youth, and managing natural resource conflicts wisely. He emphasized that public offices have no excuse for delaying responses to citizens.

Speaking on the second day of the Fourth Meeting of TFS Leaders and Station Commanders taking place at Kate Hotel Hall in Morogoro, Prof. Silayo said social and environmental changes require TFS to adopt broader thinking and new leadership and problem-solving strategies.

“The Government has set a direction of listening to the people. Therefore, every TFS leader, in their respective capacity, must be ready to listen, respond, and resolve challenges brought forward. An office belongs to the Government; it does not matter whether you were present or absent when the problem began,” he stressed.

Prof. Silayo noted that TFS must keep pace with social changes influencing the mindset of newly recruited youth, pointing out that the new generation has different expectations regarding the workplace.

“Today, a young person is employed with specific expectations. We cannot treat them as mere listeners; we must respect them, guide them, and build their motivation,” he said, urging station leaders to welcome new ideas and strengthen a work environment grounded in dignity and respect.

Addressing the impacts of climate change and social pressures, Prof. Silayo explained that increasing demand for natural resources could fuel conflicts between communities and conservation areas. He therefore called on leaders to manage such situations professionally.

He cited examples of some residents burning forests as a strategy to protect themselves from destructive wild animals, saying such actions are “survival strategies” driven by environmental stress.

“We cannot ignore these signs. We must reach out to citizens, listen to them, and collaborate before the damage becomes severe,” he stated.

He clarified that conflicts cannot be completely avoided, but what must be managed is their intensity and the capacity to handle them through resilience and open dialogue.

The Commissioner also stressed the importance of collaboration with district and regional authorities, as well as security agencies, during special operations and patrols. He said such cooperation ensures the institution maintains strong representation and protection even when its officers are absent.

He warned against postponing the implementation of meeting resolutions, insisting that every resolution must have clear responses and timely action.

“It is unacceptable to have a resolution pending for an entire year without answers. The problem may lie within the system, but it must not result from negligence in execution,” he cautioned.

The five-day meeting is discussing the implementation of last year’s resolutions, operational challenges at TFS stations, and strategies to strengthen sustainable forest and beekeeping conservation, alongside sports activities (TFS Bonanza), all under the theme “One Team, One Dream.”

Concluding his remarks, Prof. Silayo officially launched the second day of the meeting and encouraged leaders to use the opportunity to exchange experiences and strengthen unity in managing forest resources for the benefit of the nation.