The much awaited bulky petroleum procurement system is expected to start in September.

This follows an agreement reached by stakeholders in the petroleum sub-sector who met yesterday in Dar es Salaam to go through the rules and imple- mentation manual.

However, stakeholders expressed concern that the Energy and Water Utility Regulatory Authority (Ewura), had incorporated only few inputs that they had earlier submitted for the two vital instruments and that there was no need to fast track the process.

The minister for Energy and Minerals, Mr William Ngeleja told the gathering that due to the benefits anticipated under the new system, there was no need for further delay. "We want to see the first consignment procured under this system arriving within the coming six months," said Mr Ngeleja.

He said the well organised statistics on petroleum would improve revenue collection by curbing few companies that have been evading paying tax under the current model.

"One thing players have to understand is that the govern- ment is not planning to domi- nate the market, but would through the state company- Copec, join other oil marketing companies to compete in the market," said Mr Ngeleja.

Through the company, Petroleum Importation Coordi- nator (PIC) Ltd, to be registered normally, the importation of petroleum products is expected to be done more competitively and transparently using an open tender system.

However, stakeholders were of the view that the 35,000 tonnes berth capacity present at Dar es Salaam port need to be expanded to be able to accom- modate the more than 80,000 tonnes consignment to be imported at a go.

"We are not resisting the move, but we have been plead- ing for Ewura to at least wait for the one more year so as the gov- ernment can first settle issues at the port, " said Mr Salum Bis- arara, chief executive officer of the Tanzania Association of Oil