Govt orders strict supervision of oil terminal project

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has directed the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to closely monitor and supervise the progress of the special oil storage tanks (Oil Terminal) project, which is currently at 14.7 per cent.

The government said TPA must ensure that the project adheres to contractual agreements, specifications and standards, particularly in its initial stage.

The project being implemented in Kigamboni District, involves the construction of 15 oil storage tanks with a total capacity of storing 378,000 litres of oil.

The project worth 678bn/- is poised to reduce the time ships spend at the port offloading fuels, eliminate demurrage and storage charge and ultimately lower costs to final consumers.

Speaking yesterday after inspecting the construction progress in Dar es Salaam, Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa said out of the 15 tanks being built, six will store diesel, five petrol, three aviation fuel and one will serve as a reserve tank.

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Prof Mbarawa said that the country has been facing significant challenges due to a shortage of oil storage tanks, which has led to incurring high costs and as a solution, the government decided to construct the tanks to help stabilise fuel prices in the country.

“Construction projects require close supervision, especially in the initial stages. I have no doubt that TPA will oversee this project efficiently and we will witness positive results. I urge TPA to ensure that every phase of this project is executed strictly in accordance with our contractual agreements, with particular attention to specifications and standards, especially during the initial stage of the project,” said Prof Mbarawa.

He added that, “We also urge the contractor to execute the work as agreed with the consultants, who serve as the eyes of both TPA and the government, ensuring that all work meets the agreed standards.”

Regarding efficiency, the minister acknowledged that the current fuel handling system is good but not yet 100 per cent efficient, which is why the government has invested in the project.

“We believe that once the project is completed, demurrage charges and ship waiting times at the port will decrease, ultimately benefiting the public,” he said.

Prof Mbarawa further underscored that the most intensive phase of the project is in the initial stage, so far, four pits, each 28 metres deep, have been excavated to ensure the stability of all layers and to prepare the ground for further construction.

The Minister also confirmed that the contractor has already procured and delivered all necessary construction materials, which have been tested to meet the required standards noting that work will continue uninterrupted, even during the rainy season.