MWE Correspondent
Tanzania’s adoption of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system has significantly strengthened the monitoring of fuel imports by improving oversight and minimizing losses during the transfer of petroleum products from ships to onshore storage facilities, the Petroleum Bulk Procurement Agency (PBPA) has said.
Speaking during the ongoing Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition in Dodoma, PBPA engineer Elvira Muganga said the digital system enables the government to monitor fuel volumes received into the country in real time, enhancing transparency and accountability throughout the fuel import process.
According to Muganga, the SCADA system collects data directly from government-installed fuel meters located at petroleum reception points and compares it with readings from meters installed at fuel storage depots. This allows authorities to immediately identify any discrepancies that may occur during the offloading process.
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“The comparison helps detect any differences that may arise while fuel is being discharged from ships and ensures that the quantity of fuel received is accurately recorded,” she said.
She explained that before the introduction of the SCADA system, fuel offloading operations largely relied on indirect reporting methods, making it more difficult to verify the accuracy of fuel deliveries. The new technology now provides government agencies with real-time operational data, allowing for closer supervision and faster detection of irregularities.
Muganga noted that the system has improved transparency, strengthened security in fuel reception operations, and enhanced the accuracy of data used in calculating government revenue from petroleum imports.
She added that the adoption of SCADA has positioned Tanzania among the countries using advanced digital technology to oversee petroleum import operations and reduce losses that can occur during fuel discharge.
PBPA is using the Nanenane exhibition to educate members of the public and stakeholders in the energy sector about the SCADA system, the Bulk Procurement System (BPS) for petroleum imports, and the agency’s broader responsibilities in ensuring an efficient, transparent, and reliable fuel supply chain.
Muganga encouraged visitors to the PBPA exhibition booth to learn more about the agency’s digital monitoring systems and their contribution to safeguarding government revenue while improving efficiency in Tanzania’s petroleum sector.
