Envoy: Rwanda will continue to use Dar Port

BY SYLIVESTER DOMASA

9th September 2013

Rwanda's Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr Ben Rugangazi(R)

The Rwandese government has said it will continue using the Dar es Salaam Port, though it cannot keep its businesscommunities from using other ports in the region.

Rwandese High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ben Rugangazi told The Guardian in an exclusive interview recently that the vast majority of businesspersons in Rwanda still prefer the Dar Port.

The Ambassador said Rwandese prefer the Dar port because of its distance factor and efforts registered by the Transport minister Dr Harrison Mwakyembe to increase its operational efficiency.

“Business with the Dar Port is good… we consider the port ours, it has always been like that and will continue to be,” he said, emphasising that his government will continue to facilitate a good business environment for its businesscommunity.
According to the envoy, some businesspersons from Dar es Salaam have already invested in Rwanda just like their Rwandese counterparts have invested in Tanzania.

“Sometime back, there used to be a lot of theft cases at the port. We’re happy to see the ongoing modernisation efforts,” he said calling upon government authorities to grant his government a portion of land to be used for the construction of a container terminal for cargo on transit to and from Rwanda.

Commenting on the eviction of illegal immigrants, the Rwandese Ambassador said they received the ‘unfortunate news’ but had no choice than welcoming them back in Rwanda.
The envoy said, President Jakaya Kikwete had meant well but the authorities that implemented the directive needed to apply humanity in executing the order.

He said Rwanda is also very supportive of ridding illegal immigrants; however the best way the exercise could have been carried out is through joint support from the Rwandese ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tanzanian ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN