TPA boss blames inefficiency on Ikulu

Dar es Salaam Port  

Dar es Salaam. The Prime Minister’s Office and the State House are to blame for the plight of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) because of too much interference.

This was revealed by TPA’s director general Madeni Kipande, before the newly appointed Transport minister Samuel Sitta, yesterday. The latter was touring the country’s busiest port.

“There are interferences by the State House and the Prime Minister’s Office in some of the decisions we make. I’m being very open with you Mr minister so that you understand how we operate,” Mr Kipande said. He did not however says who is those high offices was intrucing.

Mr Sitta instructed both the board and the management to observe their decision making limits: “Your consultations should be within your mandate, just as I act on mine. People should be able to make decisions within their jurisdiction.”

However, Mr Kipande also said that the Dar es Salaam Port has been making profits, thus contributing positively to the country’s economy.

He said in the last three financial years figures have been promising. Mr Kipande said in 2011/2012 it collected Sh389 billion, in 2012/2013 it collected Sh428 billion and the recent financial year it collected Sh539.7 billion.

Explaining about the investment needed at the port, he said a total of $3 billion is required. He added that if TPA is to depend on its revenues to make this investment, it will need many years to attain the goal.

In his response to some issues raised during his tour at the port, Mr Sitta said it was high time those who derail the efficiency of the port were regarded as ‘saboteurs of the economy.’

He said even in development partner countries, the laws were strict and did not allow anyone to sabotage the economy.

Mr Sitta praised the immediate former minister for Transport, Dr Harrison Mwakyembe, for his efforts to support and improve the authority’s performance, particularly, at the Dar es Salaam Port. He also noted that TPA has surpassed the target of servicing 13 million tonnes to 14 million tonnes annually.

“I assure you that I will continue with the standards set by Mr Mwakyembe. We have been cooperating in many issues,” he said. The minister instructed the TPA board of directors and management to present him with the working plan that aims at making the Dar es Salaam Port the most reliable and efficient.