Tanzania Refutes Claims on Rwanda & Uganda Rejection of Dar es Salaam Port

{{Tanzania’s Minister for East African Cooperation Samwel Sitta dismissed rumours that Rwanda and Uganda were planning to boycott the Dar es Salaam Port with effect from next month.}}

He told journalists at State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday that his office had not received documentation to the effect the two landlocked EAC member states had opted for the Mombasa Port rather than Dar es Salaam Port for handling of their cargo.

Sitta was cornered by journalists during the swearing in ceremony of newly appointed eight permanent secretaries and 14 deputies to various ministries in the State House grounds, declining to give further comments on the current status of the two countries with regard to their relations with the DR Congo.

On their trade links with Tanzania, Sitta said the government had since 2011 reduced the number of barriers from 43 to the current 15 along major roads, adding that barriers disturbed goods’ transportation.

He noted that in order to facilitate smooth operation of trade movement within the region, his office had future plans to further reduce the barriers and remain with only 3 by 2020.

President Jakaya Kikwete on Tuesday this week announced a major reshuffle of permanent secretaries, promoting 10 deputies and dropping three others.

He moved three permanent secretaries to new portfolios and moved Prof Sifuni Mchome from the Tanzania Commission of Universities to become the new Education Permanent Secretary in changes that saw the Permanent Secretary of the ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Patrick Rutabanzibwa stepping down voluntarily.

The President picked 14 new deputy PSs, and shuffled five in a decision that saw the return of suspended chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Deodatus Mtasiwa who now heads the ministry of Local Government Authority and Regional Administration.

Those dropped were Sethi Kamuhanda from the Ministry of Information and Culture, Omar Chambo from Transport and Mrs Kijakazi Mtengwa from Community Development, Women and Children.

Announcing the changes at a news conference on Tuesday evening at State House in Dar es Salaam, Chief Secretary Ombeni Sefue said the three dropped PSs would be assigned other duties, without specifying.

{ippmedia}