Africa-Press – Tanzania. The government has expressed its commitment to continue applying various strategies focusing on attracting traders from the neighboring countries to use Tanga and Mtwara ports.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa expressed the government’s resolve during the prompt questions and answers session with the Premier in Parliament yesterday.
The PM was responding to a query by Nanyamba legislator Abdallah Chikota (CCM), who inquired about the government’s strategies to attract traders from Uganda and South Sudan into using Tanga port.
The lawmaker also wanted explanation from the government over its strategies to attract traders from Malawi, DR Congo and Zambia into using Mtwara Port.
Responding to the questions, the Prime Minister said the sixth phase government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has been dishing out funds for the expansion of ports’ infrastructure in all major water bodies to facilitate smooth cargo handling and provision of other services.
He said strategies for attracting traders into using the ports are coordinated by the Ministry of Works and Transport, adding that through the ministry, several mechanisms are already being used to lure business communities from the neighboring counties to use the country’s marine terminals.
According to the Prime Minister, the government has been expanding ports’ infrastructure including availing modern equipment to speed up cargo handling, a factor that is crucial in assessing the performance of the terminals.
In just one year of President Samia’s leadership, the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has received a total of 500bn/ for the purchase of equipment to improve service delivery at its terminals.
Another measure instituted by the government to attract traders from the neighbouring countries is to reduce port charges at the two terminals. According to the Prime Minister, TPA reduced port charges by 30 per cent at the two harbours.
According to the Prime Minister, the government has also installed flow metres at Mtwara and Tanga ports to facilitate handling of fuel consignments.
The flow metres enable traders in the neighbouring countries to have options on terminals to use in fuel importation.
Establishing liaison units in High Commission’s offices and embassies in Malawi, DR Congo and Zambia is one of the strategies being used by the government to attract traders into using the country’s terminals.
According to the Prime Minister, the units are used as windows for providing vital information and consultations on services offered by Tanzania ports to traders in the three countries.
The Head of Government Activities in Parliament also said an ongoing construction of the central railway will also contribute to the increase of cargo at various terminals destined for the neighbouring countries.
He said marketing of the country’s ports also goes on through various forums.
Since President Samia took over the country’s leadership, she has been, in her personal capacity, serving as TPA ambassador wherever she goes, a measure that has contributed to an increase in the flow of cargo ships into the country.
The PM invited business communities from the neighboring countries to use Tanzania’s ports, saying the country’s terminals are reliable, safe and offer quality services.
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