Authorities in Uganda are set to destroy tonnes of locally produced maize consignments previously seized by South Sudan after a fresh independent test carried out by regional experts returned positive results of above normal level of the aflatoxin.

According to The Daily Monitor, the East Africa Community standard experts carried out the fresh test that confirmed the result of the first test carried out by South Sudan Bureau of Standard in May, 2023. 

Preliminary lab results reportedly showed that 1700 tonnes of maize products valued at $2 million have now exceeded the normal quantity of the chemical that is scientifically proven to cause cancer.

 Jacob Kabondo, Uganda Millers Association Coordinator, said the maize failed to pass the tolerated limit for the aflatoxin.

“The maize failed to pass the EAC agreed permissible limit for Aflatoxin B1 in the EAC economic bloc,” Kabondo said.

In mid-October, South Sudan Ambassador to Uganda Juach said Uganda traders had resumed exporting their maize to South Sudan after halting supplies for over three months due to the measures taken to address food safety concerns, but which escalated into an uneasy trade row. 

Juach said the differences that developed in May 2023 concerning the test conducted by the South Sudan Bureau of Standards were resolved after the two bureau standards met.

He stressed that the situation resulted from the fact that some people were found buying food from unregistered maize producers.

“It was also found that some of these people were really not buying from registered grain producers; they were just picking from the markets,” he said.

“So, it was resolved that, before this grain crosses into South Sudan, the Uganda Bureau of Standard will have to certify that they passed the quality checks and therefore will have no problem that has the agreement, and since then nothing has been happening,” he added. 

In May 2023, the South Sudan Bureau of Standards held 62 Uganda trucks loaded with maize grains after a lab test found the items contained dangerous chemicals.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain mould species that can contaminate crops and pose health risks to humans and animals if consumed.

In February 2023, Ugandan food scientists found that maize, sorghum and groundnuts produced locally posed a cancer risk. By Matik Kueth, City Review

DP World has signed a 30-year concession arrangement with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to run and upgrade Dar es Salaam Port, which connects Tanzania and the wider area to global markets.

The concession agreement was signed between Plasduce Mkeli Mbossa, Director General of the TPA and Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, in the presence of H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. 

The concession to operate and modernise the Dar es Salaam Port was awarded to DP World with the primary objective of optimising the port’s operations to improve transport and logistics services throughout Tanzania and its hinterland.

This is the first stage of a multi-stage investment strategy. DP World would initially invest more than $250 million in port upgrades, with the expenditure potentially increasing to $1 billion throughout the concession period, in addition to hinterland logistical projects.

READ: DP World raises $1.5 billion for decarbonisation efforts

This investment will boost Tanzania’s socioeconomic growth by creating jobs and increasing access to products and services, among other things.

The port will link to Sub-Saharan Africa’s interior via a network of roads, highways, trains, and specialised freight corridors and ports, supporting the continent’s expanding need for logistics solutions and connecting enterprises in the area to global markets.

DP World will collaborate with the TPA and the port’s existing stakeholders to build on this progress, allowing for faster cargo clearance and improved cargo planning, thereby strengthening Dar es Salaam’s role as the maritime gateway for green energy metals from Southern-Central Africa’s copper belt.

Future investments in port modernisation will be made by DP World, including prospective investments in temperature-controlled storage to benefit Tanzania’s agriculture industry, as well as increased connectivity to rail-linked logistics.

READ: DP World attracts key tenants to Thames Freeport

According to DP World, investments may also involve the future establishment of a special economic zone in conjunction with the port’s larger logistics industry, which will expand Tanzania’s position and impact in the future of global commerce.

Speaking on the occasion, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “We are honoured to partner with the Government of Tanzania to revitalise the port of Dar es Salaam.

“The development will deliver trade opportunities for the region, connecting East Africa and broader sub-Saharan Africa with global markets, driving economic growth, job creation, enhanced access to products and service, and creating value for all our stakeholders.

“Alongside other ports that we operate, this concession agreement marks another milestone in our collective efforts to leverage DP World’s global and local expertise to enhance the region’s supply chain to support the economic growth of the entire continent.”

Plasduce Mkeli Mbossa, Director General of Tanzania Ports Authority, added: “We are excited to collaborate with DP World to modernise the strategic port in Dar es Salaam. This project will create significant value for end-users and help the government achieve its goal of reducing logistics costs.

“This strategic initiative is a testament to our ability to drive large-scale infrastructure development by partnering with strategic players, which will allow the government to redirect funds to other critical areas of the economy for the benefit of the people of Tanzania.” 

In May, the government of Tanzania announced plans to start a process of acquiring a competent global investor to run operations of the country’s major port of Dar es Salaam. By Dom Magli, Port Technology International

Suella Braverman© GETTY 

The first Rwanda deportation flight will take place next February if the Government secures victory in its Supreme Court bid.

Civil servants have been told to prepare for the first flight carrying asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to the East African nation on February 24.

The date, reported by the Daily Mail, comes as the Government faces a wait over whether the policy is lawful.

The Home Office has challenged a Court of Appeal ruling from earlier this year that the multimillion-pound deal was unlawful.

A three-day hearing took place at the Supreme Court this month. Supreme Court President Lord Reed said the five Justices would give their ruling at a later date. 

Both the Court of Appeal and High Court gave judgments on their respective cases around two months after the hearings ended.

Britain paid Rwanda £140million under an asylum partnership struck in April 2022.

The first deportations were due in June last year but the plane did not leave the tarmac after a series of legal challenges.

In June, Court of Appeal judges in June overturned an earlier High Court ruling that found Rwanda could be considered a "safe third country".

The Rwanda policy is a key part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to stop small boats.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick yesterday said the "substantial" reduction in small boats crossing the Channel shows the Government's plan is beginning to work.

He told Sky's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: "We have to motivate people to vote Conservative.

"And the key there is actually delivering for the public. In my area, which is immigration. We are working round the clock to reduce the amount of illegal migration, and our plan is beginning to work.

"We have seen a substantial reduction in the number of small boat crossings this year versus last year. I don't pretend that that is enough, but it does show that the plan that we put in place a year ago is beginning to work."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Our relationship with Rwanda is strong and we remain completely committed to delivering this policy." Story by Katie Harris, Daily Express