50 vehicles cleared at port to implement JPM order

Police have cleared 50 vehicles which overstayed at the Dar es Salaam.

That comes hard on the heels of President John Magufuli’s directive for the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to investigate why such vehicles overstayed and ensure that they were cleared.

TPA corporate communications manager Janet Ruzangi told The Citizen on the sidelines of tour by Rwanda Business Community to the Dar es Salaam Port that the vehicles were cleared last week.

According to her they were not cleared as on time as required by law due to a minor misunderstanding.

“We released the vehicles to the police force last week after all procedures were cleared,” she said. She did not give details.

According to reports, the vehicles had been parked at the port since 2015.  A cargo is not supposed to stay at the port for more than 21 days after its delivery.

Police spokesman Barnabas Mwakalukwa confirmed that the 50 vehicles had been cleared.

However, investigations are going on into 50 ambulances as ordered by the President during his recent tour of the port.

“The ambulances are still parked at one of our yards. The investigative team is awaited to complete its findings before further action is taken. The report will be taken to the President and TPA will only be given directives on the way forward,” she said.