Tanzania transporters call for licensing law review to boost efficiency, safety

Dar es Salaam. Transporters have called on the government to enact a new Transport Licensing Act to replace the existing law, whose provisions are deemed outdated, restrictive, and hindering the growth and effectiveness of transport services in the country.

Transporters believe the change, if made, will create a conducive and efficient environment for the sector’s growth and prosperity, considering the pivotal role it plays in the country.

Transporters who are among the key stakeholders in the sector believe that a modernized licensing act will not only streamline operations, but also enhance safety, competitiveness, and overall quality of provided services.

They made the remarks at the sideline of transport stakeholders’ recent meeting aimed at collecting opinions for legal and regulatory improvements. The meeting was organised by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra).

 Speaking to The Citizen, Tanzania Bus Owners Association (Taboa) member Elinas Kitua said the new law is required to align it with provisions of the existing regulations.

“About 60 to 70 percent of the sections of the Transport Licensing Act of 1973 does not reflect the operational guidelines because most of them have been overtaken by events,” he said.

He said, for instance, the Transport Licensing Act of 1973 requires that when a driver is caught driving a bus without a dustbin would be liable to a fine ranging from Sh2,000 to Sh5,000.

According to him, despite the small amount of fine indicated by the law, regulations have imposed a fine ranging from Sh50,000 to Sh100,000.

Further, Mr Kitua said the Transport Licensing Act of 1973 demands the establishment of zonal and regional licensing authorities, a requirement that hasn’t been adopted in the guidelines.

“We need to come up with a supplementary bill instead of keeping amending most provisions of the Transport Licensing Act of 1973,” he suggested.

According to him, failure to come up with an improved legislation, the country will continue witnessing unnecessarily many rules imposing different punishments without good reasons, “it is better for the document to be reviewed.”

Taboa secretary general Priscus Joseph said that since 1973 a lot of things have changed in the transport sector.

“In previous years, buses transported luggage on carriers which have now been replaced by boots. The issues of cameras, Vehicle Tracking System (VTS), Standard Guage Railway (SGR), and related ones were not there in the past, calling for the law review,” he said.

The Director of Transport and Services at the Ministry of Transport, Mr Andrew Mwangombala, said his docket organised the meeting in collaboration with Latra.

He said sections 45 and 41 of Latra’s Act, Chapter 413, and Section 45 of the Transport Licensing Act, Chapter 317, grant the responsible minister the authority to formulate regulations for the smooth implementation of duties outlined in the Act.

Latra’s Director General, Mr Habibu Suluo, said transporters are engaged in every step they take because of the sector’s importance to the country’s economy.

“Transporters have invested millions of money in the sector and this is why they are engaged in every step to ensure the laws are conducive for everyone,” he said.