Writes Leo Odera Omolo

Information emerging from the Tanzanian commercial City of Dar Es Salaam says that the Tanzania Ports Authority {TPA} is seeking for colossal amount of money to he tune of USD 800 billion to upgrade ports all over the country.

Economic analysts say the new ports will be able to accommodate more vessels, thus easing congestion and reducing the waiting time for ships.

In April 2007, the TPA commissioned a master plan study covering both sea and inland ports, which experts says will enhance the country’s economic growth.

The study proposed a new port at Mbegani in Bagamoyo to ease congestion at the Dar Es Salaam port about 75 kilometers away. A total of 40 hectare of land has been identified for the proposed new port.

The planning manager of the TPA Modest Kakusa was last week quoted by the media as saying that the feasibility study for the ports was completed in December 2008.

He said the Master Plan will work to sustain continuous growth of port traffic and provide better services to landlocked countries in Southern, Central and East Africa. The master plan will also alert to change in shipping technologies. It hoped to restore capacity-in inland ports and help develop other ports for commercial purposes.

TPA has been pursuing a strategy on private sector involvement in port operations, as well as management and training of ports investments.

Major Private Sector participation started in 2000-with the licensing of the Dar Es Salaam Container Terminal Services {TICTS}.

This year, TPA has been planning to lease its ports in Kigoma and Kasanga in Lake Tanganyika. The money accrued will be used to develop and promote licensing of port services, trade facilitation, fishing industry and environmental support.

“To enhance provision of services and cost effective port services, the TPA continued to invest in modern infrastructure, equipment and technology,” he said.

The TPA envisaged developing and managing ports to provide good services and promote logistics services in East, Central and Southern African regions.

TPA’s chairman of the board of directors Raphael Mollel says that the authority has been seeking private sector involvement in port operations, as well as management and financing of investments, adding that as an organization specified to privatization, TPA could not invest in any major capital project.

Following de-specification, Mollel said, TPA revised its development capital budget upward from USD 32 million to USD 40 million to procure critical equipment and facilities.

In July 2006, the TPA was empowered to improve port infrastructure, equipment and capacity. The authority’s long term measures include development of a new container terminal and cargo freight station at Dar Es Salaam and construction of anew at Mbegani, Bagamoyo.

The required land area for port expansion under the TPA strategy, which on the coast as well as Kigom will be financed by the World Bank, have been earmarked and acquisition process are underway.

Among the targeted ports are Dar Es Salaam, Mtwara, Tanga, Bagamoyo and Mwmbani on the coast as well as Kigoma on the Lake Tanganyika.

Ends