Maravi

Smuggling of cement from Tanzania increases

Smuggling of cement from Tanzania increases
By Jonathan Mukuka in Nakonde
Saturday June 16, 2007 [04:00]

Smuggling of cement from Tanzania has increased at Nakonde border. Zambia has been experiencing a critical shortage of cement for over six months now. Investigations at Nakonde border revealed that 90,000 x 50kg bags of Mbeya Cement had passed through Nakonde border without being cleared by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).

Further investigations revealed that all the 90,000 bags of cement which had been illegally imported into the country had come through the Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority TAZARA goods train loaded at Mbeya town about 109 km from Nakonde border.

A check at TAZARA railway station revealed that 20,000 bags of cement passed through the Nakonde TAZARA railway station four days ago while a total of 70,000 bags went through 10 days ago loaded on wagons with each carrying 1,000 bags.

A customs officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity said some people were illegally importing the cement into the country.
The officer said each 50 kg bag of cement brought into the country from Tanzania was supposed to be charged excise duty at 5 percent and also pay value added tax (VAT) of 17.5 percent per bag.

The officer said the authority has not yet established who was behind the illegal importation of cement.

Further investigations revealed that some of the cement was being offloaded at Kasama and New Kapiri Mposhi railway stations.
Mbeya Cement is bought at K30,000 and sold at K55,000 in Kasama and K60,000 on the Copperbelt.

The construction industry in the country has expanded creating a critical shortage of cement on the market.

Labels: CEMENT

posted by MrK @ 4:28 AM