Tanzania moves to modernise ports to enhance efficiency

Tanzanian Minister of Transport Makame Mbawara says his government will modernise its ports to prepare for increased trade with Malawi.

He said this on Monday in Lilongwe when the Tanzania Port Authority (TPA) officially inaugurated its local office in Lilongwe.

Mbawara said works are already underway to install closed circuit television cameras at the Dar es Salaam Port where 40 000 vehicles and 300 metric tonnes of fuel pass through each year to improve security at the port.

He further said through the TPA, the Tanzania Government has signed a contract to revamp the Mbamba Bay on the contested region between Malawi and Tanzania amid plans to connect it with Nkhata Bay.

“This will improve the use of Lake Malawi to transport cargo. Malawi is the specific target for this programme,” said Mbawara.

Speaking earlier, TPA director general Plasduce Mbossa said establishing a local office will help to provide better services to its customers in Malawi.

“The local office will be a centre where local customers can get credible information on the transport and clearing of cargo at Tanzanian ports,” he said.

In a separate interview, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara said the establishment of the office, which follows the signing of two bilateral agreements on promoting road transport between the two countries and the common corridor, is a sign of the countries’ commitment to facilitating and improving the efficiency of trade operations.