EALA is urging Partner States to go the extra mile in creating a conducive environment for trade to thrive. In the regard, the legislators have tasked the Commissioners of Customs and the management of ports to tirelessly, diligently and persistently take on the enormous task of making the Single Customs Territory a reality.
EALA Members today toured the Tanzania Ports Authority, Dar es Salaam Port where they engaged with senior Port officials and Commissioners of Customs from the Partner States.
The Deputy Minister of EAC, United Republic of Tanzania, Hon Dr. Abdulla Saadala remarked that the port was now a key player in the integration process and maintained that its operations would be continuously improved to enhance efficiency.
The Minister noted that as Strategic partners, both the Ports of Mombasa and Dar were complementing each other and not necessarily competing with each other.
“Competitiveness is encouraged as a means of strengthening integration. In addition to healthy competition, both ports are not only collaborating but also complementing with each other in the spirit of integration. The port of Dar enjoys certain strengths in service delivery over Mombasa port and vice versa and this is healthy” Minister Sadaala added.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Dr Margaret Nantongo Zziwa, urged the region to enhance the rail network to ease pressure on the roads.
“The port is the gateway to the hinterland. But there is a lot of pressure on the road network which may be ameliorated by having an efficient rail network. While we appreciate the progress so far, more can be done to implement the Railway Master Plan” Hon Speaker said.
The Port Manager, Mr. Awadh Massawe informed Members of improved port performance saying the number of deep sea ship calls had improved by 20% during the last financial year. The cargo consignment (Cargo throughput) has also increased.
“In year 2013/14, the port handled 14.6 million tonnes as compared to 12.7 million tonnes in 2012/2013, up by 15.6%,” the Manager said. “The overall cargo increase record was 15.6% per annum”, he added.
According to Mr. Massawe, cargo traffic has spread over six countries; Zambia, DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi and Uganda. However, the major challenges affecting port productivity include capacity limitation in terms of few berths and restricted channels and hinterland connectivity hampered by poor roads. Port productivity is further hampered by ICT related issues and heavy traffic affecting the port/city interface.
In this regard, the Port is upgrading seven berths and enhancing acquisition of more areas for cargo handling.
The Acting Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority, Mr. Lusekelo Mwaseba hailed the on-going initiatives around the Single Customs Territory which he said was been undertaken in a phased approach.
Whereas, piloting of Single Customs Territory started in October 2013 along the Northern Corridor, on the Central Corridor, piloting commenced in June 2014.
“As we speak right now, petroleum products imported into Rwanda and Uganda through Dar es Salaam are cleared under the SCT scheme that has no multiple declarations, no multiple security bonds and reduced interventions in terms of roadblocks, checkpoints and weighbridges. In the same regard, wheat grain imported into Burundi and Rwanda is also cleared under the new streamlined SCT Procedures”, the Commissioner noted.
In attendance also were Commissioners of Customs from the Partner States who are in Dar attending a meeting on the Single Customs Territory. The Commissioners are monitoring and evaluating progress on its implementation.
According to TRA officials, monitoring is now a regular feature as they map out strategies of enhancing the Single Customs Territory, promulgated by the Summit late last year.
On his part, the Director of Planning and Infrastructure, Phillip Wambugu lauded the progress made in the region with regards to infrastructure and said the EAC was committed to harmonizing and rationalizing road and rail transport in line with Article 91 of the EAC Treaty.
He noted that the bridge at Rusumo connecting the United Republic of Tanzania to Republic of Rwanda had been completed to international standards.
“We shall be updating the Heads of State on developments with regards to infrastructure during the forthcoming Infrastructure Summit scheduled for November this year”, Engineer Wambugu said.
ENDS
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For more information, contact:
Bobi Odiko,
Senior Public Relations
Officer, East African Legislative Assembly.
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103,
Cell: +255-787-870945 +254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org,
Web: https://www.eala.org
