HomeEmailContact UsEast Africa Business
Tanzania News - The Citizen
Home Sunday News New fee sparks chaos at border town
New fee sparks chaos at border town  Send to a friend
Sunday, 19 February 2012 14:09

By Daniel Mjema
The Citizen Reporter
Moshi. Hundreds of vehicles were yesterday held up at the Tanzania-Kenya border town of Holili for more than eight hours following protests over new entry fees.

Protesting drivers jammed the road leading to and from the immigration offices, causing long queue of vehicles at Holili and Taveta towns on the Tanzania and Kenyan side of the border, respectively.

The Citizen on Sunday reliably learnt that the chaos was caused by a new procedure introduced by Tanzanian immigration authorities that requires truck crews from Kenya to pay $200 (over Sh310,000) in fees every time they enter the country.

A government official told this reporter that vehicles began jamming the border town from around 6am. “It is Kenyan drivers who have closed the border near the immigration offices.  There is no traffic movement into or from Tanzania,” said the official, who did not want to be named.

Other sources said the new fee was aimed reducing the number of heavy-duty vehicles entering Tanzania from Kenya to ferry maize from Kilimanjaro and neighbouring regions after the government allowed Tanzanian farmers to export their produce.

The protest began after a meeting between representatives of lorry drivers and Tanzanian authorities. A police officer told The Citizen on Sunday that Kenyan lorry maintained that the fee was too high.
Truck drivers on the Tanzanian side also criticised the decision, saying it would hamper trader among the East Africa Community (EAC) member states.

Travellers had a hard time as there was no sign that by midday the situation would improve. Only one bus from Mombasa had been cleared to enter Tanzania by 2pm. The Kilimanjaro regional immigration officer, Mr Ali Ameir, confirmed the chaos when reached for comment, but said the snarl-up was on the Kenyan side of the border.

“They have blocked the Kenyan side of the border, arguing that they cannot pay the $200 fee.  What can we do given that it is a requirement that they have to pay the money?” he asked.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
Reddit! Del.icio.us! Mixx! Free and Open Source Software News Google! Live! Facebook! StumbleUpon! TwitThis Joomla Free PHP
 

Comments  

 
0 #2 chris elijah 2012-02-23 07:57
Tanzania has many natural resources, sufficent land and huge population. Enough ingredients for the creation of wealth without resorting to trade-barring policies that serve only to hurt honest, hardworking farmers and traders.
Quote
 
 
+2 #1 Sandra McCann 2012-02-19 17:52
It seems to me that we have very short-sighted politicians who put their immediate money problems, many caused by their own dishonesty, above what is best for the people of Tanzania. The last thing Tanzania needs to do is to isolate itself. Immigration visa fees for non-residents went up from a fee of $120.00 for renewal to $550.00 in one year. This fee is the same for East African students wanting to study in our universities and colleges. I guess like it looks like "easy money" but it is not the way for Tanzanian to be good neighbors. It doesn't make others want to come here--sad because we need to learn from each other.
Quote
 

Add comment


Security code
Refresh

Banner
Banner