WASHINGTON: The agents are also accused of failure to collect relevant documents regarding their respective outstanding balances with TPA. Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Communications Manager, Ms Janet Ruzangi, confirmed to the ‘Daily News’ in Dar es Salaam that the harbours’ body has already handed over letters on the suspension to the agents.
“The agents have been suspended effective February 9, 2016. They will only be allowed to operate after submitting evidence of port duties payment,” Ms Ruzangi told this newspaper. She explained that the clearing and forwarding companies will also not be allowed to operate with TPA associates, including Tanzania International Container Terminal Services Ltd (TICTS), Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Car Freight Stations (CFSs).
Prominent among suspended agents are Bakhresa Food Products Ltd, METL, Korufreight (T) Ltd, Arusha Cargo Clearing and Forwarding Ltd, Arusha Freight, Afritel System Ltd, Babylon Freight Ltd and 21st Century Freight Forwarders.
Others are Uwanji General Traders Ltd, Sangare Express Ltd, Freight 24/7 Ltd, Full Cargo Support Ltd, Efficient Freighters, Khan’s C and F Ltd, Tanga Cargo and Trust Ltd, Upland Freight Ltd.
Last December, TPA unveiled a theft of 11,884 containers from inland container depots (ICDs) and 2,019 car freight stations (CFSs) that were cleared at the Dar es Salaam Port without remitting government revenue. The containers and vehicles were cleared without paying wharfage between July 2014 and April 2015 occasioning loss in revenue of a staggering more than 48.5bn/- to the country’s major sea gateway.
Wharfage is a fee charged by a port for goods staying in its yards before they are cleared. The loss of revenue was discovered after TPA initiated a special audit, on all ICDs and CFSs which was carried out following an order from the management, after the second surprise visit at the port by the Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa.
According to the Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Professor Makame Mbarawa, seven ICDs did not pay required wharfage amounting to 47.4bn/-.
