All Tanzanian-flagged ships now placed under scrutiny
Five vessels so far nabbed with illegal cargo
January 20, 2018
By The Tranquility News reporter, Dar es Salaam
President John Magufuli of Tanzania has directed Union and Zanzibar transport ministers to suspend registration of new ships, pending further notice.
Dr Mafuli has also ordered the Union minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa Mnyaa, and his Zanzibar counterpart, Mr Ali Abeid Karume, to thoroughly investigate all 470 ships registered in the country in collaboration with state organs.
He further directed the minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, to oversee implementation of the above directives, lest Tanzania’s image is tainted once again.
Dr Magufuli said this when addressing Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ministry workers in Dar es Salaam on Friday following reports that two ships flying Tanzania’s flag were seized with illicit drugs and explosives aboard.
Dubbed Kaluba and Andromeda, the ships registered by the Zanzibar Marine Authority make the number of the Tanzanian-flagged marine vessels implicated in the vice so far to reach five.
While Kaluba was seized sailing near the Dominican Republic carrying 1.6 tonnes of cocaine on December 26, 2017, Greek authorities seized Andromeda on January 6, 2018, carrying materials used for making explosives.
“We cannot let few individuals taint the image of our country for their own selfish ends,” President Magufuli retorted.
Meanwhile, Dr Magufuli called on the Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Ministry to translate the Tanzania’s policy of Economic Diplomacy for the country to benefit from opportunities available in cooperating with other nations.
He directed Dr Mahiga to ensure each Tanzania’s envoy abroad submits a quarterly report on the implementation of the policy as well as revenue registered.
“An envoy, who neither submits sufficient receipts nor bolsters trade investments, is not suitable for the task,” he cautioned.
He also directed Dr Mahiga and executives in the ministry to follow up on and to closely work with relevant ministries in the implementation of agreements Tanzania signs with different countries.
President Magufuli said he is not prepared to hear implementation of any agreed project with significant benefits to Tanzanians flopped.
“When you seek reports on the project from your counterpart in another ministry, copy me through the Chief Secretary. I want to know the person who delays the project or a report,” he said.
