Chalamila ready for legal battle over bus order

DAR ES SALAAM: Commissioner Albert Chalamila has said he is ready to face legal action over his directive to shift all upcountry bus operations to the Magufuli Bus Terminal.

Mr Chalamila said this yesterday while speaking to leaders, business operators and residents during an inspection tour of the terminal, where he defended the Government’s decision to consolidate long-distance bus operations at the facility.

He said the terminal was not privately owned, but was constructed using taxpayers’ money and officially opened by the late former President John Magufuli.

“This terminal was opened by the late Magufuli. That does not mean it belongs to Magufuli. It belongs to Tanzanians. We decided to relocate from Ubungo to this location and we must all share and respect the laws regarding entry and exit here,” he said.

Mr Chalamila said he had pardoned the Director of Bus Licensing and directed that all buses be allowed to enter and leave the terminal, while warning bus companies against under-declaring the number of vehicles they operate.

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He cited a company which, according to him, had paid taxes for only 12 buses despite operating nearly 100. Meanwhile, Kibamba Member of Parliament Angela Kairuki said more than 2bn/- was allegedly lost annually at the terminal due to weaknesses in the revenue collection system.

She proposed installation of automated gates and electronic revenue collection systems to improve accountability and ensure funds collected at the terminal are directly remitted to the Government.

“We recommend installing machines and automated gates. Someone should be able to enter simply by entering a password or code. The money will go directly to the Government, and petty theft will end,” Ms Kairuki said.

Ubungo Municipal Mayor Lawrence Mlaki said the municipality planned to install boom gates, construct offices for bus owners and strengthen revenue collection at the terminal.