ZANZIBAR: WITH an ongoing major infrastructure development and reforms aimed at improving efficiency at its ports, Zanzibar is positioning itself to become one of Africa’s key transshipment hubs.
The strategic move is expected to stimulate the local economy and generate additional job opportunities.
At a transshipment point large vessels from developed nations frequently dock to offload cargo, which is then transferred to smaller ships for distribution to other regional ports, thereby creating a dynamic micro-economy.
President Hussein Mwinyi said this while officiating at the opening of the Inland Container Depot (ICD), or dry port, at the Maruhubi area, approximately seven kilometres inland, north of Zanzibar City.
“The opening of this dry port is a milestone in our ambition to improve port operations, which include ending or reducing congestion of containers at our current main port of Malindi, Stone Town. This is also a step towards to becoming a transshipment hub,” Dr Mwinyi said.
He explained to the enthusiastic audience that the improvement of port infrastructure will bring great impetus to the growth of the Zanzibar economy, urging stakeholders to support the efforts.
He praised the Africa Global Logistic (AGL) company that currently manages cargo handling at Malindi Port for improving efficiency, making it easier for businessmen to carry out their duties without bureaucracy.
Dr Mwinyi reassured stakeholders and members of the business community that his government will continue improving Public Private Partnership (PPP) to improve efficiency and performance.
The President also reiterated the government’s commitment to construct a multipurpose modern port at Mangapwani, Bumbwini, in Unguja North Region, making it capable of serving international ships including oil tankers.
ALSO READ: Zanzibar expands access to affordable homes – Mwinyi
“We also still need to improve service delivery at all ports. I instruct institutions such as the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Zanzibar Bureau Standards (ZBS), Zanzibar Food and Drugs Authority (ZFDA) and the Chief Government Chemist among others to improve efficiency, to minimise complains from traders at the ports,” Dr Mwinyi said.
He promised that the government will continue to create a friendly environment for the businesses, asking importers and traders in the country to avoid unnecessary hiking of prices.
Minister for Infrastructure, Communications and Transport Dr Khalid Salum Muhammed said that reforms at the main port of Malindi has helped to improve revenue collection.
He said that the ongoing changes and development of ports are as fulfilment of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM)’s 2020-2025 election manifesto and Zanzibar Vision 2050, which aims at achieving development goals that among others call for collecting more revenue by serving more ships annually.
Zanzibar Ports Corporation (ZPC), Director General Mr Akif Ali Khamis explained at the event that engagement of the private sector in running ports aims to improve performance.
He said that since AGL took over Malindi Port, revenue collection has so far increased by 15 per cent, ship waiting time reduced by 75 per cent and time to offload containers reduced from 40 days to ten days or less.
Comments are closed.