Mombasa port container terminal
More than 150 containers belonging to Ugandans will be lost as the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) moves to de-congest Mombasa Port.
Mr Issa Ssekitto, the spokesperson of Kampala City Traders Association (Kacita), told Daily Monitor yesterday that more than 150 containers at the port belong to Ugandans.
“Ugandans are going to lose billions of shillings when they are auctioned. Unfortunately, Kacita cannot do anything right now,” Mr Ssekitto said.
He added; “We have done everything possible to have these containers saved. We have written letters to all property owners reminding them about the special waiver that was put in place, some responded while others didn’t.”
In December last year, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) announced a waiver on all containers that had stayed at the port for more than six months.
The Ports Authority had then sought to de-congest the port, in order to create more space for the docking ships.
A special waiver on storage charges on all overstayed containers that will expire by March 1 was put in place. However, with only five days to the deadline more than 200 containers are still in Mombasa.
Business Daily early this week reported that KPA had placed bids for auctioneers to help dispose off the overstayed cargo both within the port and the Inland Container Depots (ICDs).
According to KPA, overstayed goods/containers are those that have stayed with in Mombasa port or in the inland container depots (ICDs) for more than 100 days.
Attempts to talk to the trade ministry were fruitless as Ambassador Julius Onen; the permanent secretary was out of office and referred this paper to Mr Raymond Agaba, the commissioner internal trade who could not be reached by press time.
Causing congestion – Increases in construction. The Kenya Ports Authority says containers that have delayed to be collected are taking up space for new arrivals.
By Nicholas Kalungi, Daily Monitor
