Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has expressed its willingness to strengthen relations with stakeholders to ensure that port services improve to significantly contribute to government earnings.
TPA’s Acting Director General, Awadh Massawe said it is now the time for creating a new orientation between his authority and its stakeholders from both public and private sectors.
Massawe told stakeholders that the Tanzania Minister for Transport Samuel Sitta had directed the board to make sure that TPA-stakeholder relations improve and work together for the betterment of the authority and country at large.
“Our port can function well if we will closely work with our stakeholders,” Massawe said.
Massawe stressed that among other things, it is through best relations with stakeholders that Dar es Salaam port can compete with other regional ports in today’s competitive environment.
It was agreed during the meeting that TPA will meet stakeholders on every last Thursday of the month to discuss and strategize on how to improve port services.
“We are also going to form a committee that will be tasked to make a follow up and make sure that things are implemented on time,” the Ag DG explained.
He pointed out some of the challenges need fast intervention as delay of cargo out of the port.
TPA wants to expand regional market for the interest of the nation. “We have not done enough marketing outside the country, this is one of the priorities for now,” he noted.
He said TPA aims to turn Dar es Salaam Port of choice for neighbouring landlocked countries.
Dar port serves seven landlocked countries including DRC, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
According to available statistics of all Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) revenues, 43% comes from custom and excise duty. Dar port alone contributes 87% of that revenue for TRA.
Some of stakeholders at the meeting were representatives from Tanzania Shipping Agency Association, Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Container Inland Deport Association of Tanzania, shipping lines, Car freight owners, and Terminal operators.
Others were government departments and institutions including TRA and police force.
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