THE Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) is set to install belt conveyor machine for handling coal at the Mtwara Port, Works and Transport Minister Professor Makame Mbarawa, has said.
Belt Conveyor is an important coal transporting equipment for coal handling in open area and underground mines.
The installation of belt conveyor will go in line with the construction of a facility for coal loading to facilitate the transportation of the products through the deepest water port of Mtwara.
Prof Mbarawa spoke of the new development here when he paid a courtesy visit at the Mtwara Port to see work progress and operations at the facility.
He directed TPA to speed up the process towards ensuring best practices in handling of coal at the port, controlling coal dusts and other related cases associated with poor handling of coal.
“I have directed the TPA to speed up the process of constructing the belt conveyor and as well as setting up a centre for coal collection,” he said.
The minister said TPA has funds for setting up the conveyor and the coal loading centres as soon as possible, directing the authority to use restricted tenders in procurement or any other procurement process that will ensure the equipment is installed immediately.
Prof Mbarawa said the construction of the centre and the installation of the belt conveyor will help get rid of current challenges associated with poor handling of coal at the port including dust.
Deputy Director General of TPA, Eng Juma Kijavara, said the authority is committed to implementing the minister’s directive in ensuring that the belt conveyor is installed in time to ensure best practices in handling the coal.
Earlier, the Acting Mtwara Port Manager Norbert Kalembwe told the minister that coal transport through the terminal is one of main factors leading to improvement of port efficiency and productivity.
“During the 2021/2022 financial year, the port targeted to handle 377,700 tonnes of cargo but due to increase in coal, the volume of cargo handled increased to 592,365 tonnes,” he said adding that the cargo included 377,700 tonnes of coal transported to various areas in and outside the country.