Africa-Press – Tanzania. MINISTER for Works and Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa has directed institutions dealing with marine issues in Zanzibar and Mainland to come up with immediate measures to address challenges facing marine transport.
He issued the directives here mid this week, during the joint meeting with executive directors from the transportation sector in Mainland and Zanzibar hosted by Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC).
The Minister said that some of the complaints raised by people include high tariffs, especially on food products from Mainland to Zanzibar as well as dollarisation in making payments.
“Come together to overcome all these challenges. Our government is very responsive to its people. Reducing tariffs is possible.” said the Minister.
He also directed the institutions to keep on improving the investment environment and full engagement of the private sector, for expansion of investments, employment and job creation as well as economic growth.
The minister stressed that engagement of the private sector will also boost importation and adaptation of modern technologies from abroad, an increase in national income, expansion of money circulation as well as the earning of foreign currency.
He, at the same time, praised the work done by some executives who have been embracing patriotism for betterment of Tanzania and its people.
He cited an example of former Executive Director of Marine Services Company Limited (MSCL) and current Director General for Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Mr Eric Hamisi who ran the office for over ten months without a salary.
“Very few people can do this. Mr Hamisi stood up and managed to put the company on the right track and today it is in good shape. Let us imitate his spirit as MSCL is among the companies which are doing well,” he said.
Director General for Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC), Mr Nahaat Mohammed Mahfoudh said a lot of issues were discussed during the joint meeting and will be soon implemented by institutions of both sides, including formalization of informal ports.
In Zanzibar, he said, ‘Kizimkazi’ and ‘Shumba’ are among the ports to be formalized soon, adding another port with the same name (Kizimkazi) will be also introduced on Tanzania Mainland, as the task force is already working to finalize the procedures.
The two sides agreed to jointly smoothen services at all ports, including setting a good and competitive environment in the marine sector.
TPA Director General also confirmed the formation of a joint committee to forge cooperation in terms of knowledge exchange, identification of informal ports for formalization exercise and how to properly run them.
“But we also have this tariff issue which is to be resolved soon. We are going to see how to reduce it as well and do away with the system of making collection in terms of dollars,’ said the TPA boss.
He said more improvements have been made to smoothen the services for all travelers since it is TPA that supervises all passenger terminals in Tanzania Mainland.
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