OVER 3,000 TURN UP FOR VEHICLE AUCTION IN DAR

A section of several people who thronged the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) yard in Dar es Salaam, yesterday, for the auction of more than 3,000 imported vehicles that had been abandoned there for a long time. The auction was co-ordinated by the Tanzania Revenue authority (TRA).

Over 3,000 people turned up at the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) yard in Dar es Salaam yesterday, to try their luck at buying vehicles that were being auctioned by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

However, the venue of the auction proved unconducive as some participants were seen outside the gate struggling to get in by the time the auctioning started. Given the venue’s relatively small size, it was difficult for some participants to see the cars they were bidding for.

TRA Commissioner General, Mr Charles Kichere, admitted the anomaly, promising to fix the problem, saying the next auction would be held at an open, expansive area at Ubungo on the outskirts of the city.

Led by Yono Auction Mart’s Managing Director, Ms Scholastica Kevela, the auctioning kicked off at 10am with some willing buyers pronouncing high prices, completely shuttering the dreams of others who thought the cars would fetch low prices.

Some participants said although they were aware of the nature of the competition in terms of prices of the cars being auctioned, the prices they encountered yesterday were too high, some of which were higher prices than actual market prices.

The ‘Daily News’ witnessed the initial price of a Toyota IST car being pegged at 7m/-, but in the end it fetched 10m/-. A Toyota RAV4 car’s initial price was also 7m/-, but was ultimately sold for 17m/-.

Mr Mathew Mpanda, one of the willing buyers who attended the auction, said he was surprised to note that the prices of the cars were higher than what one would part with if he or she imported them or bought from showrooms. During the auction, Mr Kichere moved around to ensure that the exercise was undertaken smoothly. He subsequently told reporters that the turn up of bidders was satisfactory.

He said next time,TRA would ensure that all participants would get chances to see and inspect the cars before auction day. “We will also ensure that during the auction day everyone sees what is going on, including each car being auctioned,” he said.

On the complaints about high prices, Mr Kichere said people ought to understand that, under auctioning rules, the highest bidder (competitive prices) principle held sway. He said yesterday’s auction aimed at selling 134 cars out of 600, stating that if the stock was not exhausted, the auction would be held on another day. He said to enable civil servants participate, subsequent auctions would be held on Saturdays and Sundays.

Daily News