Some institutions responsible for clearing of goods out of customs control include the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (Tasac), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Tanzania Medicine and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). The directive was issued by the Works, Transport and Communication minister, Mr Isack Kamwelwe, when briefing the press after a joint meeting of the TPA and Tasac boards.

Mr Kamwelwe said the decision aims at improving efficiency and providing solutions to various challenges listed after Dar es Salaam Port started operating for 24 hours, seven days a week. “Dar es Salaam started operating for 24 hours a day and seven days a week on May 8, 2017, implementing President John Magufuli’s directives issued during the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) meeting,” he said, adding.

“But, clients have reported the absence of some key players during the process, disrupting the purpose of commencing the new setup, causing inefficiency of the port and deny the government with appropriate revenues.”

He said the permanent secretary in his docket has been directed to form a committee that pass through challenges outlined by clients and suggest means of resolving them.

“The committee’s composition and members will be announce shortly, but will be ensure all challenges are addressed including overseeing performance of all institution working under one roof,” he said.

He said the committee will convene its meetings every month under his chairmanship to access the progress, noting that the private sector will later be involved.

“Next month, I’m expect to chair a meeting of stakeholders including clearing and forwarding agents to hear the challenges they face at Dar es Salaam Port in efforts to ensure the port becomes favorable to all users,” he said.

According to him, issues of documentation will also be addressed after reports had it that there were unscrupulous clearing and forwarding agents who have been spending monies they collect from clients for personal gain.

He said they spend months to recover the money from other sources, something that escalates the problem.

“The new documentation system will keep records of dates, times and the persons who submitted the document to government authorities, hence distancing the government from unnecessary complaints,” he said.

The directive to operate for 24 hours a day and seven days a week (24/7) was issued to reduce dwell time at the Dar es Salaam Port which ranged between 10 and 13 days.

According to the International Association of Ports and Harbours, Dar es Salaam Port is the fourth largest port on the African continent’s Indian Ocean coastline after Durban, Mombasa and Maputo. The port acts as a gateway for commerce and trade for Tanzania and bordering landlocked states.

Source: The Citizen