The decision by Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda to suspend abolition of a five per cent allowable weight by upcountry buses and cargo trucks by a month and order dialogue between the private sector and Ministry of Works, has been applauded by stakeholders.
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda
Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) Spokesman, Mr Elias Lukumay, Tanzania Bus Owners Association (TABOA) Secretary General, Mr Enea Mrutu and Tanzania Shipping Agents Association (TASAA) Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Mallya said Mr Pinda’s decision has averted a disaster to the economy.
“I thank the prime minister for his wisdom to make such a bold decision which has focused on the realities on the ground and the country’s priorities,” said Mr Lukumay whose members number over 1,000 with a fleet of 20-25,000 trucks.
He said as engine of economic growth, the private sector needs to be informed before major decisions are made by policy makers in the government.
“We reached a crisis point because there were no good reasons given in this instance,” Mr Lukumay said after roughly four days of a boycott which paralysed cargo and passenger transportation during the week.
TABOA Secretary General, Mr Mrutu said the PM made the right decision because he consulted all stakeholders including the private sector.
“We were heading in a disastrous direction had the PM’s wisdom not prevail, it’s now time for us to engage and move forward,” Mrutu said.
Mr Pinda ordered Transport Minister Dr John Magufuli to suspend his decision to abolish the five per cent allowable weight for overloaded trucks and buses for one month during which a joint team of TABOA, TATOA and related ministries should conduct a survey and present a report.
“It is important that we have consensus of all stakeholders before a major decision is made,” the premier told a news conference last Thursday.
TASAA’s chairman Mr Mallya also commended the PM for his intervention saying the situation at Dar es Salaam port had started deteriorating as cargo ships in the outer anchorage increased. By Thursday afternoon there were 18 ships in the outer anchorage of the country’s major port.
“Bearing in mind that road transport carries over 90 per cent of our cargo due to the collapse of the railways system, antagonizing truck owners is causing trouble to Dar es Salaam port operations,” said Mr Mallya who has urged Dr Magufuli to work closely with Dr Mwakyembe in reviving the railway network.
“In order for Dar es Salaam port to maintain its good performance in cargo clearance, we need an efficient railway network that will complement the road transport network,” Mr Mallya who is also founder and Executive Chairman of EB Maritime Limited, argued.
“We are very happy with the government’s stand despite having lost a lot in the five days that we have been out of the business,” said Mr Azim Dewji a Representative of the business people.
Meanwhile, Mr Azim Dewji said that they are conducting a research to establish the amount of loss incurred and file a case against Dr Magufuli demanding him to pay the cost.
“We do not have any grudges against the minister. We only went on strike to oppose his move,” he noted.
Truck and bus owners started a boycott of the country’s roads last Monday after Dr Magufuli abolished the five per cent allowable weight for overloaded trucks and buses passing through weigh-bridges to contain overloading which is destroying roads.
By FINNIGAN WA SIMBEYE, Tanzania Daily News
