Govt fuel import stocks dock at Dar

From CHIMANGENI BANDA in Dar es Salaam THE first consignment of imported refined fuel stocks procured by Government independently and directly from Saudi Arabia has arrived at the Dar es Salaam port awaiting decantation.

ZANIS reports that Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (TAZAMA) pipelines Regional Manager for Tanzania Abraham Saunyama disclosed that the ship from Saudi Arabia will soon start decanting the diesel and petrol stocks at the Single Point Moring once docking fees and other formalities have been processed by the Tanzania Port Authorities.

Mr Saunyama said the ship is carrying already purified fuel products comprising 13 million litres of diesel and over 18 million litres of petrol for the local market.

He said the development is a milestone achievement as this is the first time in the history of the country that Government has procured refined petroleum products directly from the source without engaging third party agents and other middlemen.

Mr Saunyama said Government has since appointed TAZAMA as its agent to manage the processing and transportation of the refined fuel stocks to Ndola for sale and distribution to Oil Marketing Companies in Zambia and ultimately the general public.

Meanwhile, TAZAMA has commenced the construction of a container terminal at its abandoned premises in Dar es Salaam as part of its diversification efforts. Pipeline Engineer Max Ilunda said TAZAMA will spend about US$730, 000 to set up the terminal that will increase the revenue of the firm for investment in other company ventures.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian President Joseph Magufuli has praised the TAZAMA pipelines for declaring dividends to the two governments.

President Magufuli is impressed that TAZAMA declared dividends at a time when jointly owned firms and many parastatal companies had failed to do so. ZANIS reports that Zambia’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Benson Chali disclosed this when TAZAMA officials from Zambia paid a courtesy call on him at the Zambian mission.