Outgoing DRC envoy hails ties with Dar

DAILY NEWS Reporter

THE Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, shares views with the outgoing DRC Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Juma Alfani Mpango in Dar es Salaam. The long-serving envoy who had served as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the country, had gone to bid the premier farewell. (Photo by PMO)

OUTGOING Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ambassador Juma Mpango, has commended bilateral relations enjoyed between Tanzania and DRC, saying his country DRC benefits tremendously from using Dar es Salaam Port.

The port is the major gateway to seven landlocked countries in East and Central Africa including the DRC. Ambassador Mpango said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the volume of cargo transported by DRC through the port has gone up to 1.3 million tones in 2014 from only 200,000 tonnes in 2004.

“We expect the tones of consignment to reach 3 million tones of consignment next year. The Dar es Salaam Port is very significant to us,” said the outgoing DRC envoy after he had paid a courteous call on the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa, at his office on No. 2 Magogoni Street in the city.

Mr Mpango, who was the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the country, had paid the visit to the country’s Number Three to bid him farewell after finishing his term in office. He has served the post for 12 years in the country.

“I have witnessed the administration under presidents Benjamin Mkapa, Jakaya Kikwete and now John Magufuli. I am impressed with the measures the government has taken to fight corruption,” observed the outgoing DRC envoy.

Ambassador Mpango urged the two countries to strengthen bilateral ties for the people of both countries to enjoy of a number of opportunities available between them.

“What I have learnt during my stay here is hardworking and humbling of public leaders. Civil servants are not proud of leadership but commitment to serve the people,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Majaliwa, expressed gratitude to the outgoing DRC ambassador, urging him to be a good ambassador in promoting Tanzania back home. “I wish President Joseph Kabila and the people of DRC success in the preparations ahead of the forthcoming general election to be held next year,” said the premier.