Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has directed ministries and public institutions involved in Tanzania’s National Joint Operations Centre to deploy their representatives within 14 days, clearing the way for the facility to begin operations aimed at strengthening maritime security and coordination.
The directive was issued on Friday during the commissioning of two patrol and rescue boats, PB Sailfish 02 and PB Sailfish 03, at the Port of Dar es Salaam.
Dr Nchemba said the centre was established to improve coordination among agencies responsible for maritime surveillance, border protection, rescue operations and the safeguarding of resources linked to the blue economy.
“All ministries and institutions with responsibilities in the National Joint Operations Centre should submit the required representatives within 14 days from today. The centre must begin operating immediately so that it delivers the intended results,” he said.
The two vessels were acquired at a cost of $1.6 million and are expected to enhance patrol and rescue capabilities along Tanzania’s coastline.
The Prime Minister urged Union ministries and agencies responsible for maritime affairs to work closely together to seal security gaps that could be exploited by criminal networks operating along the country’s coastal borders.
He also instructed institutions that will utilise the vessels to ensure adequate operational funding is allocated, warning that insufficient budgets could undermine the effectiveness of public investments.
“Patrol operations should not be disrupted because of a lack of funding. We have seen cases where modern ambulances purchased by the government fail to provide timely services due to fuel shortages. That defeats the purpose of the investment,” he said.
Dr Nchemba described the handover of the boats as an important step in protecting economic activities linked to Tanzania’s blue economy, including fisheries, marine transport and coastal trade.
He noted that Tanzania serves as a strategic gateway for several countries in East Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), making maritime security critical not only for Tanzania but also for neighbouring states that depend on the Port of Dar es Salaam.
“Citizens and businesses from neighbouring countries will have greater confidence in using the Port of Dar es Salaam when security is assured,” he said.
Earlier, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, said the vessels were procured following the completion of all procurement procedures.
He said the purchase agreement was signed on July 29, 2025, between the Institute of Rural Development Planning and Japan’s Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
According to Prof Kabudi, the vessels were built in Japan in line with international standards approved by Tanzanian government experts.
Inspection teams comprising officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (Tasac), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Institute of Rural Development Planning conducted quality assurance visits during the construction phase.
Japan’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Mikami Yoichi, said maritime security remains an important area of cooperation between the two countries.
Although Tanzania and Japan are geographically separated, he said, both nations are connected through the Indian and Pacific oceans and share a common interest in safe and secure maritime routes.
Mr Mikami expressed confidence that the vessels would be maintained and utilised effectively to support maritime security and rescue operations for years to come.
The commissioning of the two patrol boats comes as Tanzania seeks to strengthen surveillance of its coastal waters, enhance emergency response capacity and protect resources that are increasingly central to the country’s economic growth agenda.
