THE government is actively seeking partnerships with the private sector to manage ferries and garages operated by the Tanzania Electrical, Mechanical and Electronics Services Agency (TEMESA) across the country.

David Kafulila, the Treasury public private partnership (PPP) director, said in an interview yesterday that the PPP model has emerged as a viable alternative for public entities setting up projects or overhauling entities.

"We aim to leverage the skills, innovation and capital from public and private sources to deliver quality public services,” he said, affirming that the PPP model is a game-changer in public service delivery, fostering a symbiotic relationship on the basis of a beneficial partnership.

TEMESA has recently opened a window for local and foreign investors to express interest in modernizing its workshops through the PPP framework, as it oversees a network of 30 workshops in 26 regions, maintaining upwards of 30,000 mainly government motor vehicles annually.

Initially, TEMESA plans to operate 13 of the workshops under a PPP arrangement, in Katavi, Rukwa, Shinyanga, Kagera, Singida, Iringa, Mara, Manyara, Coast, Lindi, Ruvuma, Njombe and Simiyu.

TEMESA also operates 32 ferries based in 12 ports of different regions, facilitating 22 crossing points on a daily basis, with eight new ferries being built, five for Lake Victoria and three for the coastal zone, he said, noting that the ferries transport around 80,000 passengers and 4,000 vehicles daily.

"The government intends to manage all ferries through the PPP model," he stated, noting that private investors will have an option to rent out entire ferry crossings, form joint ventures with TEMESA or operate their own ferries alongside government boats.

Additional investment opportunities at each ferry crossing include land, buildings and structures such as waiting lounges, canteens, ramps and offices, he pointed out, hinting at plans to involve private investors in equipment hiring services.

TEMESA operates a network of 41 hireable units in four regions, he said, affirming that modernizing workshops, ferries and equipment hiring services through PPPs is a timely response to surging demand for these services.

"Engaging private investors will introduce new technology, enhance operational efficiency and improve service delivery," he declared, in another briefing on PPP Centre activities starting earlier this year.

It has made significant progress in structuring feasible projects for public-private partnerships, as the PPP Centre strives to be a one-stop hub for PPP activities. “We anticipate even more developments in public-private collaborations," he added.