PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has unearthed yet another sickening corruption and flaws in the tendering process at the Southern sea gateway -- Mtwara port.
The premier, who was in Mtwara to
inspect the construction of three docks at the port sensed elements of
crooked practices. He directed relevant authorities to ensure the
project implementation takes off instantly.
Mtwara is the third largest ocean
seaport in the country. It was built as part of the failed Tanganyika
groundnut scheme. With the recent economic boom in the region, the
government is directing funds for upgrading of the port.
Speaking after inspecting the ongoing
construction, the Premier said he had information that the company that
won the tender was not given the task to implement the project.
He hinted that procurement personnel at
the port were a stumbling block, a situation that delays the
construction process. He urged Members of Parliament from Mtwara to team
up and ensure that construction of the three docks starts at the
earliest.
It will also create employment to people
in the region. “Not only employment opportunities will be availed to
people of Mtwara but many ships will be docking at Mtwara port and pay
taxes that will increase revenue for the region,” said the Premier.
“I know that there are plans to
construct four new docks at Mtwara (one will be under the Tanzania Ports
Authority (TPA) and the rest through tendering.
The tender was announced and Hyundai
Company from Japan won. But there have been delaying tactics in awarding
this tender. We are working on this to find out where the problem is.”
He said so far the capacity is that only
one ship can dock at a time, but when the construction will be done,
the capacity will be three ships at a time. But we must ensure that the
cashew nut business community is using the port to export the product as
agreed.
Mr Majaliwa said there are problems
within the cashew nut board as it was agreed that the export should be
through Mtwara port but surprisingly they are giving special permits to
export their consignment through Dar es Salaam port.
He also advised the Mtwara Port Master,
Prosper Kimaro, to be very careful with the procurement unit as it has
been the source of lost revenue through dubious deals.
The Premier assured the Members of
Parliament from Mtwara that the government has set aside 13.8bn/- as
compensation to residents of Kisiwa and Mgao villages who have been
relocated to other areas to pave the way for the port expansion.
Meanwhile, the government has set aside 1.65bn/- for practical training
of teachers in colleges countrywide.
The Prime Minister made the announcement
in Mtwara on Saturday evening when he met with education sector
employees from all districts in Mtwara region. “The government is aware
of the practical training for teachers.
In February we issued 1.65bn/- to
facilitate Block Teaching Practice in 35 public teachers colleges,” he
said. He added that the money should cater for subsistence allowances,
return fares and money to by teaching and learning materials.
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