EFFORTS made by Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to attract more cargo from transit markets have paid off after the authority recorded an increase of cargo destined to Rwanda.
According to the statement released by
TPA , the first quarter of the financial year 2016/2017 which is from
July to September, 2016, TPA handled a total of 228,655 tons, higher
than their target of 212,500 tons.
The performance was above target by
7,155 tons, which is 3.2 percent. The statement added that cargo handled
during the quarter was above 211,095 tons handled in the corresponding
first quarter in the financial year 2015/16 by 17,560 tons or 8.3
percent.
TPA also has increased cargo traffic
handled for domestic consumption during the quarter. A total of
2,482,144 tons were handled compared to estimated seaborne trade target
of 1,800,000 tons per quarter.
“The performance was above the estimated
quarter seaborne trade by 37.9 percent and above quarter budget of
2,157,147 tons by 324,997 or 15.1percent. Cargo handled during the
quarter under review was above the corresponding 1st quarter of 2015/16
by 279,137 tons or 12.7percent,” reads the statement.
Moreover, in a move to speed up delivery
of cargo, the government has reduced a number of checkpoints from 23 to
three checkpoints.
This has improved tremendously the
transit time from Dar es Salaam port to Rusumo which now takes three
days only from the previous seven days. In July, this year, Rwandan
President, Paul Kagame visited Tanzania and expressed commitment of the
entire business community to use the Dar es Salaam Port as their gateway
for trade.
Recently, TPA Director General, Mr
Deusdedit Kakoko visited Rwanda and managed to meet Rwanda Business
Community who use Dar es Salaam port the port of Dar es Salaam in order
to hear their views and challenges they face when using the port.
He promised to work with other
stakeholders to address challenges raised during the discussion. He said
TPA is doing everything in its power to reduce the costs of doing
business between the two countries and improve business.
Various measures have already been taken
to improve efficiency at the port of Dar es Salaam and the Central
corridor at large. Some of the improvements include implementation of
24x7 working hours for all stakeholders in the port and assured safety
and security.
TPA has also introduced E-payment system where customers can now receive invoices and pay all port charges electronically.
This has reduced the amount of time it
takes to effect payments. There are also efforts by the government to
construct a standard gauge railway system from Dar es Salaam port to
Kigali and the developing of a dry port at Isaka in order to enhance
cargo clearance for Rwanda.
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