In Tanzania, Suspension of Ports Authority Officials Hurts Business

Suspension of four senior Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) officials including Director General, Mr Ephraim Mgawe, by Transport Minister, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, is threatening efficiency at the Dar es Salaamn and  port and stakeholders are seeking an urgent audience with the minister.
Tanzania Shipping Agents Association (TASAA) Honorary Secretary, Mr. Peter Kirigini, former President of Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Mr Otieno Igogo and TAFFA Secretary General Mr Edward Urio said suspending the four top brass has slowed down decision-making.

Suspension of four senior Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) officials including Director General, Mr Ephraim Mgawe, by Transport Minister, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, is threatening efficiency at the Dar es Salaamn and  port and stakeholders are seeking an urgent audience with the minister.
Tanzania Shipping Agents Association (TASAA) Honorary Secretary, Mr. Peter Kirigini, former President of Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Mr Otieno Igogo and TAFFA Secretary General Mr Edward Urio said suspending the four top brass has slowed down decision-making.
"There is a better way of addressing the problems of thefts and mismanagement at the port which may include assigning the task to Port Improvement Committee which is chaired by the Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Transport," said Mr Kirigini who wanted Dr Mwakyembe to urgently convene the meeting with stakeholders.
He said the Dar es Salaam port under Mr. Mgawe's management has made significant progress in addressing congestion at the port hence the gains should not be allowed to go to waste and instead a much more constructive way of dealing with the problem should be under PIC.
Dwell time has been reduced from 21 days over three years ago to nine days at present. The number of imported cars being handled has increased from 30 per shift of eight hours to 100 cars per hour with modern storage facility at Gerezani area.
Seconding Mr Kirigini's calls for an urgent meeting with Dr. Mwakyembe, Mr. Igogo stressed that some TPA leaders have worked closely with the private sector to address issues of efficiency including computerizing cargo handling and the billing system.
"As a major player at the port, TAFFA joins other stakeholders to requesting Minister Mwakyembe to meet us and listen to our views which may help to address some of the problems at the port such as theft of clients' containers," Igogo stressed.