No buyer of Makonda containers

What you need to know:

  • The furniture, in 20 containers, was auctioned for the third time but no bidder bought it.

Dar es Salaam. Some bidders of office furniture imported by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda have cited overpricing as the main reason for failure to buy it.

The furniture, in 20 containers, was auctioned for the third time but no bidder bought it.

Each container was to be sold at Sh60 million.

Bidders were ready to pay between Sh15 million and Sh30 million, but Yono Auction Mart director general Scholastica Kevela said the offer was below the target.

Speaking after the closure of the third auction, bidder Jimmy Cosmas said they were ready to pay up to Sh30 million.

He said buyers were aware of the market price and were not prepared for a loss.

Mr Cosmas called on the auctioneer to lower the price.

The items being auctioned are worth Sh2 billion.

They include office chairs, tables and shelves. They were imported from the US for school use in Tanzania.

Ms Kevela said she was waiting for further instructions from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

On May 12, TRA gave 90 days for owners of 800 containers, including 20 belonging to Mr Makonda, to pay taxes or otherwise their consignments would be auctioned.

The TRA taxpayers education director, Mr Richard Kayombo, said since the deadline of paying taxes had elapsed, the consignments should be auctioned.