Bukoba Port labourers paid their dues

BUKOBA: OVER 200 labourers at the Bukoba Port have been paid over 20m/-, being two months’ wages they were claiming from an investor identified as IFS Consulting Ltd.

Kagera Regional Commissioner, Ms Fatuma Mwassa visited the Bukoba Port on Monday accompanied by members of the defence and security committee and addressed labourers who announced a go-slow claiming that they had not been paid their daily wages for nine months.

“The government is keen to ensure that services at the Bukoba Port continue uninterrupted. The investor IFS Consulting Ltd must ensure that casual labourers at the Bukoba Port are paid their outstanding wages amounting to 20m/- within two days,” she said.

Following the RC’s intervention, the labourers agreed to continue offering their services.

Records indicate that the investor IFS Consulting Ltd won the tender for loading and offloading goods at the Mwanza, Kemondo and Bukoba Ports, replacing JKT Tanzania early this year. Bukoba, Kemondo and Mwanza Ports are operated by the Tanzania Shipping Company (TASHICO).

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Meanwhile, residents in the Lake Zone regions of Mwanza, Kagera, Shinyanga, Geita, Simiyu and Mara have every reason to smile as the New Mv Victoria Hapa Kazi Tu resumed services between Mwanza and Bukoba Ports on May 22, this year.

Dominic Tibishubwamu (48), who owns a retail shop at Kashai Ward in Bukoba Municipal, said during the last two months’ suspension when the ship was under renovation, transport between Bukoba and Mwanza was critical while traders had to pay high costs to transport their goods.

“Many citizens in the Lake Zone regions still have sad memories of the sinking of the MV Bukoba in 1996 which paralysed many businesses. On behalf of other Kagera residents, I convey my heartfelt gratitude to the government for the efforts to revive marine transport. This will ease the transportation of people and goods,” he said.

Kagera Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Stephen Ndaki, urged citizens in the Lake Zone regions, Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Mara, Shinyanga and Simiyu to utilise to the maximum the opportunity by doing business and increase production of cash and food crops.

“The New MV Victoria Hapa Kazi Tu is a golden opportunity. Citizens in the Lake Zone regions Mwanza, Geita, Kagera, Mara, Shinyanga and Simiyu must utilize to the maximum the opportunity by doing business and increase crop production,” he said.