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Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania Limited has won the 2012 Environmental Award organised by Ilala Municipality at a ceremony held at Manzese grounds in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

The award recognises financial institutions which have greatly contributed into the improvement of environmental conservation and leading by example in the commemoration of the World Environment Day under the theme, ‘Green Economy: Does it include you?’

Speaking shortly before receiving the award on behalf of the bank, the bank’s Head of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Alelio Lowasa said environment plays an integral part in human life and for that reason; her bank has given environmental conservation one of the top priorities.

“We, at the bank, acknowledge the importance of proper environmental management that is why we came up with a number of strategies to ensure that we conserve our environment, right from our offices in terms of cutting down the use of paper and we have gone further to advice our employees to be mindful of their environment,” she said.

Lowasa outlined initiatives that helped the bank to emerge victorious including, introduction of green initiative which aimed at reducing the use of paper in the bank’s operations.

“At the moment, our bank gives e-bank statements, instead of printing them on papers. We always advice our customers to join our mobile banking system which provides all banking services through their mobile phones. Furthermore, we have established a calling center where our customers are given information they may need concerning their accounts and our services,” she explained.

Speaking at the same function, SCB Head of Corporate Affairs Juanita Mramba underlined adherence to good environmental practices significantly to reduce the risks posed by ecological scarcities.

“Conservation of the environment should not be remembered only during commemorations of the World Environment Day. This should be a daily routine that corporate companies and individuals should adhere to,” said the bank official, adding:

Kinondoni district commissioner Jordan Rugimbana, who represented the Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Said Meck Sadick as the guest of honour, said it was important for all staff of various government institutions, privet companies, and the general public to obey environmental regulations to ensure that the environment is taken care of.

Rugimbana added that the issue of environmental protection in the country faces various challenges, including lack of awareness amongst the people on the importance of environmental protection and also financial constrains many councils face. As a result, most local and town councils fail to buy adequate cleaning equipment.