Optimism high as TPA pursues new dawn

PORT stakeholders are anticipating a new dawn in the country’s maritime industry after the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) announced that it will be taking over the Tanzania International Container Services (TICTS) cargo handling operations at Dar es Salaam Port effective from January 1, next year.

TPA’s Deputy Director General Juma Kijavara confirmed on Wednesday that their 22-year-old marriage with TICTS has come to an end and the government will decide whether to engage a new investor or leave the operations under TPA.

Speaking in telephone interviews with this paper, the stakeholders welcomed the move, hailing the government for taking a bold decision not to extend TICTS’ contract which has expired.

Executive Secretary of the Tanzania Shipping Agents Association (TASAA), Abel Uronu, commended the TPA and the government for pursuing a new dawn in an effort to enhance operations at the country’s principal port.

He believes that the government has done thorough assessment and found it necessary to find a different operator, who would increase efficiency at Dar es Salaam Port.

Mr Uronu was optimistic that TPA is well equipped and capable of running the cargo handling operations at berths 8-11, which were under TICTS.

Commenting, Mr John Kapeta, Deputy Chairperson of the Business Congolese International (BCI), which coordinates Congolese traders in the country, hailed the decision, saying what matters most is improvement of the services.

“We ask the TPA to go and enhance cargo handling operations,” he said, pointing out that Congolese importers and exporters worked well with the TICTS during its time.

“I take this opportunity to thank the TICTS for the period we worked together,” said Mr Kapeta.

On his part, the Board Member for Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (CCTTFA), Tony Swai, backed the TPA to carry out the operations smoothly during the transition period, insisting that looking for a new investor will help address challenges and complaints from stakeholders.

“We have to accept changes in everything…change is always a sign of progress and I believe without doubt that TPA can manage well the activities that were carried out by the TICTS, especially during the transition period due to great improvements made at the port, especially in the infrastructures,” he stated.

Mr Swai implored the port stakeholders particularly the private sector to support the efforts made by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and the TPA management to improve the port sector for the envisaged economic growth.

When announcing the expiry of the TICTS contract, TPA’s Deputy Director-General Kijavara assured port stakeholders of quality services.

Eng Kijavara also confirmed that the government has reached an agreement through which TPA will acquire TICTS’ cargo handling equipment.

Eng Kijavara also assured that the TPA will retain all TICTS employees.

“Their jobs are safe and they will be paid their benefits accordingly,” he pledged.