THE government has assured industrialists that the government will resolve the ongoing dispute regarding the 150,000/- city council fee for loading and unloading containers at the port of Dar es Salaam within 60 days.

Dr Selemani Jafo, the Industry and Trade minister, stated this position after meeting with members of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

CTI members have for a while raised concerns on the fee imposed by the port authorities as part of diversifying municipal revenue collection, asserting that the fee pushes up costs, making it harder for local industries to compete in the market.

“The fee has been the subject of numerous complaints, so I decided to meet with investors directly to understand the issue better. It is a challenge that spans multiple sectors and we are committed to finding a permanent solution,” he said.

Stressing the resolve of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to support industrial growth and investment, he said that such challenges must be swiftly addressed, to foster a thriving business environment.

“The private sector is the main employer worldwide, and in Tanzania, industries are vital in providing jobs for our youth. The government’s role is to create the right environment for industries to thrive and provide employment opportunities especially for graduates,” he said.

Leodegar Tenga, the CTI executive director, welcomed this proactive approach to the issue, expressing hope that the 60-day timeline would bring a resolution.

The newly imposed fees were significantly increasing production costs and hampering the competitiveness of local industries, he stated, expressing CTI wishes to push with industrial development.

“But that will only be possible if industries can remain profitable and compete fairly in the marketplace,” he emphasised.

Dr Toba Nguvila, the regional administrative secretary (RAS) stated that the fees were legally imposed under municipal by-laws involving several districts, namely Temeke, Kinondoni, Ilala, Ubungo and Kigamboni.

“Two meetings have already been held to discuss this issue, and while some challenges have been resolved, there are others still being worked through,” he said.

He said the regional authorities will be available to pursue the discussions and find a solution that works for all parties. The government is committed to fostering industrial growth and avoiding unnecessary obstacles hindering progress, he added.