TANZANIA Ports Authority (TPA) launched a liaison office here, with the government promising to exemplary serve the Zambian business community using the Dar es Salaam port for the improved welfare of citizens in both friendly countries.

Deputy Minister for Transport Charles Tizeba, speaking at the office’s inauguration ceremony, described the opening of the office as testimony of the Tanzanian government to strengthen port services to the region including Zambia.

“I urge the Zambian traders to fully utilize this office,” the Minister told journalists after the launch of the office located at the Tanzania High Commission complex here.

The minister said the new TPA office will help Zambia business community solve their quarries and problems in Lusaka instead of travelling all the way to Dar es Salaam.

“They will be able to make payment for port charges in Lusaka and avoid the risk of carrying large sums of money to Dar es Salaam,” the Minister said.

Zambia leads other countries to pass cargo at Dar port. He explained that the problem of being cheated by untrustworthy agents will now be history as the list of all registered clearing and forwarding agents will be readily available in Lusaka.

Also cargo monitoring will be done from Lusaka and this will help speed up clearance as traders will have updated information on the status of their cargo.

The office in Lusaka seeks to solve several issues Zambian business communities have been complaining about including port delays and unscrupulous clearing and forwarding agents.

“Efforts are continuing to remove all the obstacles and red tapes business community is facing at Dar port,” he said. Zambian Minister for Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, Mr. Yamfwa Mukanga said his government considers the launch of TPA liaison office in Lusaka as positive gesture.

“It shows the importance you accord to your customers in Zambia,” the Zambian Minister said. The Minister explained that they are aware of the various projects being implemented at the port of Dar es Salaam to improve its efficiency and that Zambia commends these efforts.

“I urge more Zambia business community to use the port of Dar es Salaam,” said Minister Mukanga. Performance of the port has continued to improve over years. During the year 2013/14 the port handled 14.6 million tonnes of various types of cargo.

Transit cargo account to 30 percent of all traffic passing through the port. Of the overall cargo, Zambia transit cargo account for 12 percent and 41 per cent of all transit cargo passing through the port.

The Acting Director General, TPA, Mr Awadh Massawe said the opening of the office will see Zambia business community enjoying some benefits including online cargo tracking and tracing, issuance of bills, payment of charges while in Lusaka and trucking services under the Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA), among others.

Source: Daily News

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