Parliamentary Committee Reviews Temeke Port Plan and Calls for Consultation

A Tanzanian parliamentary committee has inspected a plan to expand port-related operations across 10 wards in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, and called for further consultations before the proposal proceeds.

The committee visited inland container depots and heard from government officials and sector stakeholders during a six-hour visit on Sept. 5, 2026. Chair Florent Kyombo said members had seen the situation on the ground and would now discuss implementation with Temeke municipal authorities.

“We are satisfied that the committee has made the visit and seen the actual situation. We will now hold discussions with our colleagues in this council and consult on the best way to implement the proposed development so that it does not become an obstacle or create complaints,” Kyombo said.

The visit followed comments by Temeke District Commissioner Sixtus Mapunda, who said the plan was not intended to take land from residents but to reorganize its use under the law. The proposal triggered debate after ACT Wazalendo opposed the removal of residents or the abolition of 10 wards for inland container depots and suggested directing more of the activity to Kwala in Pwani Region.

Mapunda said the plan responded to the expansion of the Port of Dar es Salaam. He said capacity expected by 2030 had begun appearing earlier than planned, creating a need for more areas to store and transport cargo. Temeke Municipal Director Jomaary Satura said the port currently relies on depots in Keko and Kurasini because of rising container volumes, leading to truck and cargo congestion and increasing pressure on roads.

Satura said developing inland container depots in Temeke formed part of a strategy to reduce those problems and improve the port’s productivity. The municipality’s 10-year plan includes reorganizing land use so activities can be separated according to local needs.

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We are satisfied that the committee has made the visit and seen the actual situation. We will now hold discussions with our colleagues in this council and consult on the best way to implement the proposed development so that it does not become an obstacle or create complaints.