LIKE NIGERIA, LIKE KENYA: Wharf Landing Fees Fever Hits Kenya

(With agency report)      
Mombasa Municipal Council in Kenya last week renewed its efforts to slap a $0.5 (Sh32) marine cargo levy at the local sea port.
For the past 10 years the council has been fighting for a share of revenue at the port but to no avail.
But mid lat week, Town Clerk Tubmun Otieno said the council recently passed a resolution on the imposition of a Sh32 per tonne of cargo handled at the port in efforts to expand its revenue base.
Mr Otieno said the council’s annual budget had hit a Sh2 billion mark whereas it collected only Sh1.4 billion of revenue per year.
Apart from the revenue deficit the council is also indebted to the tune of Sh1 billion making it difficult to meet its operational costs, workers’ salaries among other obligations.
He said: "The council is facing financial constraints and as a result we cannot offer quality service to the public. To enable us serve the public better we urgently require more funds.
"Sincerely, the port is a major asset in our municipality yet we get no penny from it. That is why we are pushing for the marine cargo levy to overcome our financial woes."
Mr Otieno said if the levy sails through it would help the council get a chunk of sufficient revenue to sort out both the budget deficit and its outstanding debts.
Addressing a stakeholders meeting, the clerk appealed to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) top officials to back the levy to keep the local authority afloat.
Deputy mayor John Mcharo said although the council collected garbage at the port as well as repair roads in the area KPA does not compliment the civic body.
Mr Mcharo added that for the port to be successful in terms of taking care of the environment the council comes handy in collecting refuse at the facility.
Shipping Committee chairman Badi Twalib said it was crucial for the port to support the council for it to improve the infrastructure and cleanliness in the town.
Mr Twalib added that other port cities have a stake in gathering revenue from such facilities since they played key roles such as availing better service to the public and visitors.
When KPA Public Relations Officer Benard Osero was reached for comment he said the port was yet to receive the marine cargo levy proposal.
Mr Osero, however, said KPA was currently grappling with the problem of being dubbed an expensive port by its clients, adding that any further levy would worsen the situation.
The KPA official said recently the port had to waive its scanning and verification fees to improve on its competitiveness.
"Our clients claim that we charge them higher tariffs compared to our competitors. So if the council imposes the proposed levy it means the charges might soar and burden up our customers," Mr Osero said.