Battle for Dart’s Sh40bn continues

A section of the Dar es Salaam Rapid Transit infrastructure under construction last year.  PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• The move has put Dar es Salaam and the WB  at loggerheads as the Bretton Woods-based institution calls for amendments of the tendering rules to exclude the interim operator from participating in the main tender worth over $90 million, which will be advertised in May, this year.

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The move has put Dar es Salaam and the WB  at loggerheads as the Bretton Woods-based institution calls for amendments of the tendering rules to exclude the interim operator from ...
participating in the main tender worth over $90 million, which will be advertised in May, this year.

The WB loaned the government all the money that was needed to embark on the Dart project, which currently stands at over Sh400 billion, mainly spent on the construction of the new infrastructure.

World Bank data indicates that a total of 177 buses with a capacity to carry 190 passengers each and another 135 with carriage capacity of 90 would be purchased and operated during the second phase of the project.

The project is divided into two phases—an interim period lasting three years and a second phase that would run for more than a decade. The interim period was scheduled for April but has been postponed to September.

After the interim period, there will another 12 years, which covers the full operation of the project.

 The WB stance is that any company that operates the interim tender shouldn’t be allowed to participate in the main tender, because it would have an edge above other competitors.

The Bank therefore wanted a clause in the just-signed contract to bar the company that has been awarded an interim tender from participating in the main tender, according to details gathered by The Citizen.

  But even after the signing ceremony, the WB sustained the push for an open tender.  Contacted yesterday about the WB stance, Dart CEO Asteria Mlambo responded: “The main tender will be advertised early in May, this year…the contract that was signed on Friday is for interim service, which include buying and operating a few vehicles (76 buses).

The CEO promised to be available today (Wednesday) to respond to all questions surrounding the project.

The Citizen also contacted World Bank Communications Officer Loy Nabeta, who said via email : “The World Bank is committed to helping the government of Tanzania establish a well-performing operation so that the Dart bus transit system serves its purpose to transport commuters efficiently and reduce traffic congestion in Dar.” She added:

“We are working closely with PMO-RALG and Dart management to ensure efficient operations.”