Shippers urge govt to overrule disputed port levy

What you need to know:

  • Mr Langat said the county cannot impose the container charges by virtue the port is in Mombasa, adding that the facility was a national asset.

The Mombasa County is pushing ahead with its proposed charges on shipping lines despite opposition from shippers and the government.

According to the 2016/2017 finance Bill, the county has proposed to charge Sh5,000 ($50) per 20-foot container and Sh9,000 ($90) for a 40-foot container.

“Last year, we rejected the levy as it was unjustifiable. We wonder why the county government has yet again factored the charges in the finance bill for 2016/2017,” he said.

“It is our hope that the government will de-gazette the levy in case the county approves the finance bill,” he said.

Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) chief executive officer Gilbert Langat rejected the county’s transport infrastructure development levy, saying shipping lines were already paying taxes to the national government.

Mr Langat called on the county to withdraw the levy or the SCEA would sues to block it.

Last week, Mombasa Transport executive Taufiq Balala said the county would impose the transport infrastructure development levy as it tries to raise money to fund road projects.