Mixed views greet PM’s port pledge

The IGA between Tanzania and Dubai on economic and social partnership for the development and improving the performance of sea and lake ports in Tanzania has divided the country between those supporting the deal and those who are opposed to it.

The agreement sets the stage for further negotiations on the Host Government Agreement (HGA) and lease/concession agreement before the commencement of a new chapter for cooperation between the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) and DP World, a multinational logistics company based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Read: Dar port saga a test for Tanzania’s media

Mr Majaliwa said in Arusha on Tuesday that the government will not ignore people’s views on the topic.

This is the first statement of assurance from the government, which previously hit back strongly at criticism of the agreement it signed with DP World.

"The government will not ignore the opinion and pieces of advice that various people have been giving about areas of concern in the Dar es Salaam Port investment project,” he said.

He urged Tanzanians to continue having faith in the government, reiterating that their views would be respected and considered.

"Continue having faith in the government, which it has committed itself to ensuring that the port becomes efficient in line with our current needs and aspirations," said Mr Majaliwa.

Apart from Mr Majaliwa, various other officials, including the Minister for Works and Transport, Prof Makame Mbarawa, and the TPA Director General, Mr Plasduce Mbossa, have on several occasions come out to explain several provisions that some quarters have been questioning.

These include the timeframe of the IGA, which remains untouched in the approved document and which Mr Mbossa is on record saying will be considered in the HGA and Concession/Lease agreements to be negotiated after later.

There have also been questions regarding the terms and conditions associated with the IGA termination, whereby some pundits believe that it would not be terminated.

However, those in support of the IGA, who include the Tanzania Feminist and Youth Change Organisation (Tafeyoco) and other top politicians and business leaders, say the investment by DP World will increase the efficiency of the port and ultimately increase Tanzania’s economy.

“Some years back a local company was contracted to operate the port, but there were complaints from customers and low performance and income generation until the government decided to remove it.

"Those people are in our streets but they failed to run TICTS properly for the benefit of the country and the Government until they were removed," reads a statement by Tafeyoco’s.

Speaking about Mr Majaliwa's statement yesterday, a legal expert, Dr Rugelemeza Nshalla, said the only way the government can do to prove that it does not disrespect the views of its people is to terminate the contract.

The need for its termination, he said, is based on the process of the relevant contract, expressing that it generally did not follow the Constitution of the country.

"If you do not disrespect the views or advice of the people, then the Constitution should be followed, because the contract violates the Constitution and it should be terminated or its process should start afresh," Dr Nshalla suggested.

According to Dr Nshalla, the Agreement should have started with a national debate that would involve the citizens to explain how their ports should be operated.

"The port is the property of the citizens, you must involve them to explain how they want it to be run, that's how the Constitution stipulates," he clarified.

The Director of the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC), Ms Anna Henga, said the government must walk the talk on respecting people’s views.

The opposition Chadema party chairman for the northern zone, Mr Godbless Lema, said despite the government’s statement being of hope, he called for implementation of what was stated by the Prime Minister.

According to Lema, it is his belief that what was discussed was not aimed at paralyzing the existing heat, but the Government will consider to review the contract.

"That statement will be more meaningful if the Government considers what is being advised. Basically, it is the responsibility of the Government to listen to its people because they are the owners of the country, which is also responsible for them," he said.

For his part, the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Mr Charles Kitima, said it is their belief that the Government will amend the sections complained about in the Agreement.

"We believe that the government will amend the sections that the citizens have raised concern," he said.

On Monday, this week, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) chairperson Angelina Ngalula expressed the need to debate the question of the Dar port and other ports with facts and figures, noting that in the modern world there was no way the country could avoid to let the private sector operate its ports.

Speaking during a national dialogue themed "protecting and promoting national cohesion in times of political and economic reforms”, Ms Ngalula said embracing the opportunities presented by private investors will improve the country's economic standing.

She said the modern port needs a company that can control the entire supply chain from the source of cargo to the country's port to the owner.

According to her, a modern port needed an investor who was rich in technology and with strong financial muscles to invest in systems and infrastructure respectively.

"It takes up to 14 days to unload cargo against the global standard of one to three days," said Ms Ngalula.