TPA WORKS ON PURCHASE, FITTING OF FLOW METERS

TPA Director General Eng. Deusdedit Kakoko

TANZANIA Ports Authority (TPA) has embarked on procurement procedures for oil flow meters at the country’s major ports to among others check underdeclaration of petroleum imports by unscrupulous traders.

TPA Director General Engineer Deusdedit Kakoko told the ‘Daily News’ that the authority was working hard to implement President John Magufuli’s directives on the meter installation at Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara ports.

“Plans are going well to acquire the flow meters and the public will be informed once the process is completed,” Engineer Kakoko explained without revealing the project total costs.

Speaking in Tanga early last month at the foundation stone laying for a project to expand GBP Oil Company’s custom bonded oil warehouse from 25,000 to 122,000 tones, Dr Magufuli condemned the delays in installation of the meters.

He expressed concerns that it was almost a year since Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa had directed for installation of the machines and yet nothing had been done on the ground.

According to the President, the country is currently unable to determine the exact amount of imported fuel because of the absence of flow meters. President Magufuli also warned fuel traders over their tendencies to hike fuel prices illegally, saying the behaviour should be stopped immediately.

“It is not fair to sell the products at a high price as the practices hurt Tanzanians. There are some traders who take fuel from GBP Tanga and sell it in neighbouring regions at a high price, which is illegal… prices should be fair,” he said.

In February, last year, the PM suspended the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Weights and Measures Agency (WMA), Ms Magdalena Chuwa, for suspending the use of oil flow meters at the Dar es Salaam Port.

During an impromptu visit at the Dar es Salaam port then, Mr Majaliwa tasked the then WMA boss to explain as to why she had suspended the use of the meters, subjecting the gauging system to rusting after being left idle for almost five years.

And just recently, Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Engineer Edwin Ngonyani, issued TPA with a three-month ultimatum to secure a contractor to instal the gadgets at the Kurasini Oil Jetty at the Dar es Salaam port.

“In Tanga and Mtwara ensure that the installation of the flow meters is completed within the period of one year.... work closely with the contractor for the project is of great interest to the nation,” Engineer Ngonyani stressed.

The oil flow meter project involves several authorities, including the Tanzania Revenue Authority and other oil stakeholders, with its completion promising to boost revenue collection and accelerate economic growth.

DailyNews