President John Magufuli for his efforts that won the Ugandan oil pipeline deal

TRANSPORTERS have applauded President John Magufuli for his efforts that won the Ugandan oil pipeline deal, challenging all Tanzanians to aggressively go for the business opportunities to be created.The Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) also paid special tribute to the negotiation team under Energy and Minerals Minister, Professor Sospeter Muhongo, for the job well done.
“The president has done a commendable job to win this giant project ... it’s now upon us stakeholders to join hands and go for immense business opportunities that the project brings,” TATOA Chairperson, Ms Angelina Ngalula, said in Dar es Salaam.
She said the construction of the 1,400-kilometre pipeline that would transport crude oil from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga Port will create huge business opportunities, which will, however, require aggressiveness to grab them.

Ms Ngalula said all transport and port stakeholders were duty-bound to strategically and creatively work out plans to exploit maximum benefits out of the project.

“President Magufuli and his team in the government have indeed done a great thing for the development of the national economy, it’s now upon us to support this great feat,” she urged.

Through the multi-trillion project, the TATOA Chairperson said, Tanzania can easily use the opportunity to promote her ports and attract more investors and customers, thus strengthening the economy.

“This opportunity is huge. It will put our Tanga Port in the world map. It makes sense for all port stakeholders to join forces by grabbing this opportunity,” she stressed.

The transporters also commended Prof Muhongo for what they described as his patriotism during the execution of the Mtwara-Kinyerezi gas pipeline in which local companies were given priority in the project’s transport requirements.

“We have faith in Prof Muhongo, believing that under his leadership, indigenous people and local firms will get special preference in the execution of the oil pipeline project,” said Ms Ngalula.

TATOA Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Kakuyu said after winning the pipeline, it was now upon all stakeholders to ensure that construction materials for the project are shipped through the Dar es Salaam Port.

“We are duty bound to work hard in ensuring that our competitors are not taking this business ... it’s our responsibility to cooperate and succeed,” said Mr Kakuyu.

Meanwhile, the truck owners have commended President Magufuli’s efforts to consolidate business relations between Tanzania and Rwanda, asking for similar initiatives for Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“President Magufuli’s tour of Rwanda has motivated more Rwandan traders to rethink using the Dar es Salaam Port. There is an increased interest among Rwandans to use the port after the president’s visit to Kigali,” noted Ms Ngalula.