January 07, 2013
The Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) increased revenue collection at the port of Dar es Salaam from 28 billion in November to 50 billion shillings ($18 million to $31 million) in December, following the suspension of 16 port officers accused of improper conduct.
The port officers, including high ranking directors, were suspended in December after the Ministry of Transportation launched an internal investigation responding to customer complaints about delays at the port, according to Transportation Minister Harrison Mwakyembe.
At least six other port officials were suspended in August. The investigation, which is still ongoing, found port employees were diverting business from the port to small clearing companies that they own, a direct violation of their employment contract.
"Customers were running away from our port because of intentional delays by unscrupulous employees who increased the cost of doing business," Mwakyembe told Sabahi. "This was contrary to their employment contracts and had direct conflicts of interest with their employer [the government]."
Among the high-level suspended port officials are TPA Director General Ephraim Mgawe, Director of Planning Florence Nkya, Director of Engineering Bakari Kilo, Director of Management Systems Maimuna Mrisho, Information and Communication Technology Director Ayub Kamili, Deputy Director General Hamad Koshyuma, Deputy Director General Julius Fuko, and Port Manager Cassian Ng'amilo.
Official charges have not yet been filed against the suspended officials and they have not publicly responded to any of the allegations. Mwakyembe said the TPA Board of Directors would soon convene to make a final decision regarding their employment status.
Normally, cargo clearing and forwarding companies charge 640,000 shillings ($400) to clear a 20- to 40-foot container from the port in seven days. Containers that are not cleared within that allotted time are charged extra.
Mwakyembe said customers complained that clearing a container at the port of Dar es Salaam had been taking up to eight weeks, while it would only take seven days at the Mombasa port in Kenya.
Customers want goods to be cleared from the port in the shortest time possible, Mwakyembe said, and when there is a delay at the Dar es Salaam port, they switch their goods to other ports, which caused the government of Tanzania to lose revenue.
Mwakyembe said the private companies belonging to the officials have since been suspended and business has returned to the port, contributing to the December revenue increase.
Vincent Nyerere, who owns an import company, welcomed the suspension of the port officials, but said more needs to be done to improve business at the port, as it still moves slowly.
He said he imported four containers from China in November -- two processed through the port of Mombasa and two through Dar es Salaam. The containers that went through Mombasa were cleared within nine days, while those that went through Dar es Salaam were still stuck at the Dar es Salaam port as of January 7th.
"My target was to sell goods the week between Christmas and New Year, but now if I get those goods what do I do with them?" he told Sabahi. "The [Dar es Salaam] port has effectively killed my business."
Nyerere said if the port was disciplined and more efficient, it could generate up to 100 billion shillings ($63 million) a month in revenue.
Haron Ishimwabula, whose import-export company services Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi and Zambia, said that because of inefficiencies at the Dar es Salaam port, he uses the Mombasa port to clear goods quickly even though it increases his cost of doing business.
Economist Benson Mahenya, director of Andrew's Consulting Group, said the government is losing a lot of revenue to competing ports in the region. Due to its strategic location, the port could generate up to 60% of the national budget, he told Sabahi, but because of inefficiencies its revenue potential is not maximised.
Mahenya welcomed Mwakyembe's move to improve the port's performance and urged everyone to support reforms aimed at eliminating corruption.
However, he said the transportation system at the port also needs improvement. For example, instead of using trucks, the railway system should be revived for bulk cargo and faster transportation of goods from the port, Mahenya said.
Mwakyembe said performance reviews at the port are ongoing and his ministry would continue to examine ways to improve efficiency. He said the ministry is considering operating the port on a 24-hour basis to clear the backlog of containers that need to be processed.
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Reader's Comments
good work dr mwakyembe
Mwakyembe we need hardworking young people not those who apply henna Thank you
MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS MINISTER MWAKYEMBE AND GRANT HIM MORE COURAGE. HONESTLY IN TANZANIA WE NEED PEOPLE SUCH AS THESE, IN ORDER TO CHANGE A COUNTRY THAT IS ALREADY ROTTEN. WE PRAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD THAT WE GET OTHER LEADERS SUCH AS THIS ONE IN OTHER MINISTRIES/DEPARTMENTS, AND ESPECIALLY LET US PRAY GOD TO RAISE A KING DAVID FOR US. GOD BLESS YOU FATHER MWAKYEMBE
We want efficiency at the Port of Dar es Salaam so that one step has helped to increase government revenue. If efficiency is high, people will not want to use the port of Mombasa.
keep up your hoe Mwakyembe but there is still a lot of work because the higher percentage of workers at the port are the child of an uncle of an aunt so work on this too so that efficiency increases
I request that you tell mwakyembe that experienced casual workers are being chased away and instead the children of senior people are brought in to take those places so that they get employed... let him help us...!
honorable mwakyembe why is the fate of many casual employees at the port in danger.... they are being sacked without mercy and yet they are the major workers!
we need to improve further by integrity taken seriously.
Heart congratulations Minister it is now time to turn to bureaucracy especially that which punishes external users
it's very good
I think that the minister is not supposed to even think about the employment of those officers who are thieves. The main thing is to sack them and take away the riches they amassed through theft.
let a team be formed that will be going into the port every working day to look at the things that they were told to implement since as the Swahili saying goes when the cat is away the mice will play that is my opinion. Together in the building of our nation.
Hearty congratulations Mwakyembe, we citizens we are behind you indeed you are fighting for the interests of the nation.
I think that other chosen ones of the Hon. President have something to learn from the patriotic Hon. Dr. Harrison George Mwakyembe, let them not just work as usual.
Honestly Hon. Mwakyembe keep it up. Other ministers should emulate Hon. Mwakyembe and Hon. Magufuli
I HEARTILY CONGRATULATE YOU HONORABLE SERVANT OF GOD. WORK LIKE DANIEL WITH THAT FAITHFULNESS OF YOURS AND EVEN IF THEY WANT TO THROW YOU INTO A LION'S DEN, THE LORD WILL DEFEND YOU HE WHO IS ON YOUR SIDE IS VERY GREAT. A CALL TO THE OTHER MINISTERS TO ACT LIKE HON. MWAKYEMBE.
Truly, a step needs to be taken on both sides and even on TRA concerning duty on imported goods has had the behavior of assessing goods more than once. This assessment is done by TRA officers to estimate the duty to be paid for the goods at the port first and after customers pay to get release order by claiming that they assessed the goods wrongly and they do another estimation hence these delays goods further making one incur more expenses after 7 days. Therefore this has been really disturbing us in Dar port.
Not yet, minister. Use old people like me because I can possibly use my knowledge to increase income.
Many ministries still have a lot to do in reaching decision because what happened in Mwanza concerning the crossing was a problem.
I propose Mwakyembe for President, Magufuri for Prime Minister. I have no doubt that that way we will quickly reach where we are going.
I think that this plan should be sustainable and should not just be short term, because there is a lot of rot at the port and it needs a long time to eradicate it. I congratulate the minister for his courage and we are behind you.We are supporting him
PERFORMANCE LIKE THIS IS WHAT BRINGS SUCCESS AND BLOCKS CORRUPTION LOOPHOLES
The writer of these articles should put in more effort because the language that is used is sometimes confusing. For example in this article about the port. how is it that there is a managing director while at the same time there are two acting managing directors. I don't know what system of leadership that is.
BASICALLY MWAKYEMBE IS THE MIRROR OF KIKWETE'S GOVERNMENT BUT ONE FAMILY LIVING IN MONDULI CANNOT BELIEVE THIS... THEY WILL REMAIN WITH MOUTHS AGAPE AND WIDE-EYED NEITHER SEEING NOR UNDERSTANDING.
Very good these people make us hate our Government by benefiting themselves and making people in lower classes continue to be even worse off. Well done Mwakyembe.
BRAVO MWAKYEMBE. WHAT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC PEOPLE? Conflict of interest is a big problem in many offices in Tanzania. I thank Dr. Mwakyembe for taking a serious step in his sector. Now in the transport sector I request the concerned Minister to instruct all the traffic police not to have transport businesses. For example here in Arusha most public service vehicles belong to the traffic police, so the drivers drive them carelessly knowing that they cannot be arrested, and so they endanger the life of road users. Not only that, these traffic police detain other public service vehicles so as to enable theirs to make a lot of profit. Public service vehicles belonging to the traffic police do not have road licences. The head of traffic at Arusha and the TRA have been informed but they have closed their eyes to these complaints. So, I advise all traffic police in the country not to have public service vehicles and taxis businesses.
VERY GOOD, why don't they get charged with SABOTAGING THE ECONOMY? Because there is more than that if in one month revenues have increased to that extent. Would you know how much the NATION HAS LOST since their entry. This is SABOTAGE OF THE ECONOMY and it is nothing else.
Truly now our country can get out of poverty, now there needs to be a strategy for producing honest people who will work honestly in order to raise our country, the poor should also get good education.
Integrity and Obedience of the law is an important tool in creating Accountability. The war against Corruption will be strengthened if each citizen is responsible in providing information and refusing to be part of the gang of thieves stealing public property. Corruption arising from hidden businesses - systemic corruption is a malignancy in the economy and an enemy of social justice. An employee who has a private company which has ties to the Port Authority should understand that he/she is perpetuating systemic corruption and he/she does not have the qualities of continuing to be an employee of the authority. Entrepreneurship through systemic corruption should be fought day and night.
This exercise should be sustainable in every ministry
Hon. Believe it or not it is God who has given you that authority please use it well, and the Lord Jesus will guide you. We are watching and praying god will show you big things that you do not yet know. Take heart keep working. THE LORD IS WITH YOU EVERYDAY HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU
Yes good start, Minister of finance should also take same actions with TRA officials working at the port, or else let TRA report to Minister Mwakyembes office, otherwise the pbm is still there, a huge one.
Clean them, they were working as though they were working for themselves and not for the public,. They completely forgot themselves, work was being traded at the TPA without caring what knowledge the buyer had.
Mwakiyembe I am not lying to you money from the whole of the Lake Victoria region is going to the government of Kenya because of embezzlement and theft by your workers who have turned the port into their own property and make decisions as though making them for their families. Advice to the government of Tanzania, is that Tanzania has a big opportunity to get money through the port of Dar es Salaam, as there are many countries without ports and they like using that port. But it is because of the monopoly of those workers that the government is losing a lot of revenue. Mwakyembe finish the work that you started by taking to court those who are calling themselves bosses of TPA so that they can get justice there. So that those who take their positions know that if we mess here we will also be made answerable by being sacked and eventually locked up for mishandling public resources. It is my belief that if the port is well managed without any selling on the side, the government will see revenues increase and reach 150 or 200 million dollars. I am sure that will happen if the minister responsible stands firm and eliminates partiality because we are all educated. May God give you strength so that you can do the work you were assigned by the president who believes in you and depends on you. Good work our hoe.
Well done Mwakyembe for sending off people who do not have a good work ethic who care about themselves and their stomachs.
It is not only those but even the machinery clerks want to be bribed in order to load your container and even the folio providers should also be scrutinized they ask for bribes a lot.
in my opinion the desired leaders are of this type like Mwakyembe Magufuli and others who make difficult decisions like these.
it is good to see that revenue is increasing.. Honestly the Hon. minister deserves compliments for what he is doing..... I request you port workers to be honest and to work efficiently for the sake of our nation and not for personal benefit. All the best Hon. Mwakyembe.
GOOD JOB MWAKYEMBE. HE IS WORKING AS REQUIRED. I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY IF THESE THINGS WERE DONE IN THE MINISTRY OF DOMESTIC AFFAIRS BUT ALL IS QUIET I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE MINISTER IS OTHER MINISTERS ARE QUIET. THAT IS NOT GOOD THEY ARE JUST EARNING FOR SITTING IN SESSIONS. IT IS VERY PAINFUL
it is very good. Also Hon. Mwakyembe deserves hearty compliments for his good work
I thank God for granting me this time to give my opinion regarding the performance of the Minister for Transport. All the leaders who were inaugurated by God in ministries and departments are stewards who were put in place by God they should not think they were granted leadership to serve people by bad luck and every minister should sit down and think why have I been put in this department or the other and he/she should sit down and think about God and say I have been given this undertaking by God to lead the department that he/she was given so he/she must be faithful because he/she is not working for human beings but for God. Mwakyembe go ahead do not fear human beings who cannot kill the spirit fear God who can protect you because of the justice that you are doing under the sun. Your crown is not here on earth you will be crowned by God himself. ISAIAH 54:17 There is no weapon that can rise against you that will succeed, God is protecting you, your Enemies are God’s Enemies, we will continue to pray for you, do not be afraid. And God will bless you Mwakyembe. May the angels of protection protect you. Amen
very good the port of Dar es Salaam
I congratulate the minister for his personal efforts to improve services at the port. It is completely true very many people at the port use the authority that they have been given by the state for their personal benefit and cause unnecessary trouble for buyers. I advise other leaders to emulate Mwakyembe's example in order to increase revenue for the government and to promote the development of our nation.
Mwakyembe is not a hoe but a shovel... as we are questioning ourselves and congratulating Mwakyembe for the good work that he is doing we need to support him with all might in the performance of his work. This means that the fourth government has two leaders that is Mwakyembe and Maguful.
m wakiyembe 4 president we need only 6 guyz like mwakiyembe to bring our tanzania back
Organization is a matter of choice. If in front of people you pretend to be a leader while your actions show clearly that you are a ruler be ready because exploitation has its end. Fellow Tanzanians let us support leaders who are good for us but oppose with all our might leaders who do not care about us (Mwakyembe well done, keep it up)
Folks these are the people who are delaying the development of our country. It is possible that a problem like that exists in other sectors. Poaching is increasing, elephants will get finished. It should now be investigated. Ministers should be accountable in themselves and reveal the paths of consumption in the government
MWAKYEMBE IS A LEADER WHO SHOWS EFFICIENCY IN WORK. IN PERFORMANCE HE IS SO EFFICIENT THAT IF OUR GOVERNMENT HAD 5 LEADERS LIKE MWAKYEMBE TRULY OUR COUNTRY WOULD BE SHOCKING IN ITS DEVELOPMENT. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS THAT TANZANIANS WE SHOULD CHANGE. LET US NOT LIKE EASY THINGS. LET US AVOID RELYING ON CORRUPTION IN ORDER TO LEAD OUR LIVES. ALSO WE MUST BE PATRIOTIC, THE PORT IS OURS WE OURSELVES BUILT IT WITH OUR OWN DEVELOPMENT IT IS AS THOUGH WE ARE STEALING FROM OURSELVES. FOLKS LET US CHANGE.
Mwakyembe continue to squeeze them until it is understood. Let them not think that the port is their grandmothers' farm. GOD is with you.
Mhh! Dr. Mwakyembe there is still a lot of work. The will of improving services at the port should be manifest in all people and organisations that have goodwill for this country of ours. Honestly I do not know what to say we Tanzanians who were there famous before for our gallantry among various nations now we have become a laughing stock and a great shame in many matters of laziness, greed, lack of accountability and even disregarding the interests of the nation in general. What we see now is as though we have become cheap people who can be bought even in very fundamental issues. Bribery, oppression and discrimination have become acts that are carried out openly without even shame. I wish you success in cleaning up those issues at the port even as I want other ministers to also clean up their ministries and departments, I do not know where we went wrong to the point of getting to this level of indiscipline, lack of patriotism and even not revering the Almighty God. If the policy of taking care of one another is not done away with our Nation will perish.
The TRA are also contributing to this. You may be required to pay yet you are told there is no network
I REQUEST THAT ALL THOSE SENIOR OFFICIALS WHO WERE SUSPENDED BY MINISTER MWAKYEMBE (Dr) ARE NOT REINSTATED TO THOSE POSITIONS SO THAT IT IS A LESSON FOR OTHER WORKERS.
It is just that you have forgotten the port of ZANZIBAR a lot so now you are supposed to put it in its original state. That is why we in ZANZIBAR do not want it because we don't see its use it is not possible for someone from ZANZIBAR to pay duty while someone from DAR does not pay it is not fair at all please what I want is for my advice to be taken because it is God who judges not human beings let us stay knowing that please those of you in power wabilah twaufiq
That is how it is supposed to be. The law should follow its course. And I heartily congratulate the minister for transport. May God give him strength and wisdom and knowledge.
The God of heaven will take care of you and give you more years my brother Mwakyembe. Honestly I did not waste my time when I was praying for you, I am very pleased with your work, strengthen your will, do not be afraid
mwaki. it is possible do your work we are with you and god will take care of you, the port is the entrance to the nation.
Mwakyembe congratulations because you are daring
In the government of honorable JK I haven't seen speed in performance and accountability as with these two ministers, Hon. Mwakyembe and Hon. Magufuri. I personally and all Tanzanians who do not like corruption support them for the good work that they are doing.
I support the efforts of Mwakyembe and he should hold on tight since not everyone will be happy to see such success. Termites have continued to chew the country to the extent that it seems as though the country has no leaders who care about their country.
The increase in Port revenues when senior leaders are atop trees is a clear sign that indicates that they contributed to the destruction of the economy of our country and weakened the efforts of the Government to bring a better life to every Tanzanian.
CHASE THEM AWAY COMPLETELY
it is not just the port even other sectors have shocking corruption. so other ministers should emulate Mwakyembe in performance
I’m unable to understand, maybe people are not able to differentiate between the PORT and TRA, because all tax documents must originate from the TRA and that is where there is a long line sometimes when they give tax estimates clients are late in making payments. When they go to the port to take their property they discover that the cost of keeping that cargo is high they blame the port for delaying them, they forget who it is that caused the delay. The way I understand it when you go to the port with tax documents which have already been accepted by the TRA (release) the port gives you your invoice for storage up to that day. So where is the delay? Maybe if there are other issues it is possible but the issue of getting a tax invoice and cargo delivery I don’t see a problem. Let people differentiate between these authorities because everyone has his/her role.
Mwakyembe stay firm, other leaders should copy the example, if everyone is accountable in him/herself like Minister Mwakyembe I think that the country will take big steps towards development.... well done GOD BLESS YOU in your STRUGGLE because there are others who do not like it but may they be DEFEATED and WEAKENED
Minister Mwakyembe, corrupt people will threaten your life but they will be defeated in Jesus's name. Make an effort to stand firm we are behind you to support you because these corrupt people are becoming too much and they are conceited.
I personally accept minister Mwakyembe. That network is still there. Do not get tired of them nor should you turn back give work to other new people while drowning the snakes. In this century Tanzanians like to work while being supervised as required.
This is a good article that gives the true picture regarding the improvement of our port which had it been improved as required. Income from the port would be part of the solution to some of the problems that face this country. I would like to congratulate the minister holding the portfolio for the good work and I am sure that every Tanzanian will support him.
I heartily congratulate Hon. Mwakyembe for his good work. If all employees of the central government were this accountable our country would be far. But the majority are storing in their stomachs. Those who have been suspended should be sacked, charged for their lack of work ethic and for causing the government a big loss. And if they have accumulated riches for themselves these should all be nationalized and returned to the government It is a very big gap that is 50 - 28 = 22 million. It means that all the 22 million was going into their accounts in SWITZERLAND that is the reason for delaying people's cargo at the port.
It is a good thing that there are leaders who can control the rot and cause good results to be seen other leaders should follow the example of their fellow leaders
May God give you a long life and good health Hon. Mwakyembe, so that Tanzanians can benefit more from your efforts. We are behind you keep it up. Also may god give courage to the new Port Director Eng. Kipande we know your history of performance, so we trust you to do that which we are expecting as Tanzanians. Live longer
good news, i like it
If now that port has the capacity to generate 60% of national budget, why can't the government employ honest leaders and fire these bedbugs?
In one month, the income has increased to such level!!!!!!! What if more reform is done? I think the income level will be wonderful. Surely, we have capable leaders.
Minister Mwakyembe, be hard on those corrupt leaders, don't fear those who can kill a body but the one who can kill the heart. They don't feel for our country Tanzania.