THE Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA) has sought major rehabilitation and construction of vessels and boats through local contractors to facilitate passenger and cargo transportation in the main waters countrywide
The call was made yesterday by TEMESA’s
Board Chairman, Brig General (retired) Mabula Mashauri while addressing
reporters here, adding that the Agency was working hard to make sure
that all vessels, boats and government vehicles as well as other
mechanical services are designed with high technology possible.
Speaking shortly after inspecting the
construction progress of the new vessel which upon completion would ply
between Kigongo-Busisi built by Songoro Marines Services, he said: “Our
Board has just assumed the office and we are satisfied that the Agency
is operating well so far.
However, as the world is also rapidly
changing into higher technology and we would also like TEMESA to improve
its services accordingly.” The vessel worth 9bn/- is expected to be
fully operational by February next year with a capacity of 250 tones to
carry 1, 000 passengers, 36 vehicles making it one of the biggest boats
ever to be assembled in the country’s marine transportation
historically.
In another development, he urged the
government to allow its other agencies to generate their own capital to
be able to meet their own financial obligations, including taking soft
loans from the state owned-financial institutions particularly Tanzania
Invest Bank (TIB).
He said the arrangement could save money
and time currently being spent by the agencies in undertaking
rehabilitation works of the government’s vehicles, plants and electronic
services.
However, Brig General (retired) Mashauri
said the government would initiate talks with banks on the issue of
securities, which are required for them to qualify for the loans, and
commended President John Magufuli for supporting the Agency.
Commenting on the ongoing building of
the new vessel, TEMESA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Mussa Mgwatu
said apart from the Kigongo-Busisi vessel, other boats’ rehabilitation
projects are ongoing in Ukerewe Island, Dar es Salaam and Lindi Regions.
He said already two engines have been
procured for the aged Mv Nyerere plying between Ukara and Bugorora in
Ukerewe Island, adding that plans are underway for the purchase of a new
facility in the near future.
On his side, Songoro Marine Services
Director, Major Salehe Songoro said vessels’ construction in the country
is facing a number of challenges in the industry including shortage of
iron ore.
He said the vessels’ assembly normally
requires special steels which is currently unavailable in the country,
as well as other key raw materials like marine engines, and propellers
to facilitate their manufacture.
“Lack of local availability of some raw
materials is forcing us to spend nearly seventy per cent of the total
project costs to import them like grade one iron and engines and
sometimes delay our work, but in this particular work, we will strive
hard to meet the set deadline,” he pointed out
No comments:
Post a Comment