Tanzania: TAOMAC Selects New Chairman

The Tanzania Association of Oil Marketing Companies (TAOMAC) has picked Godfrey Fernandes its new chairman for one-year tenure in office. Fernandes, who is chief executive officer of GAPCO Tanzania Limited, takes over from Engen managing director Seelan Naidoo, who is leaving the country after the expiry of his contract.

Abdallah Nahdi, Camel Oil Tanzania Limited CEO and Shubash Gupta, who is MGSI Managing Director, have been elected vice chairpersons. The delegates agreed to amend the constitution of the association to create a post of two vice chairmen in an effort to improve efficiency and enable the oil lobby overcome the huge challenges facing it.

In his acceptance speech, Fernandes said that the oil sector is facing a lot of challenges which need committed leadership. “We are facing new challenges and for us to be able to cope with the situation, all Taomac members must come up with new plans and ideas to expand our businesses,” he said.

Unity among the members, he said, is of utmost importance for the association to remain strong and move to the next level so as to win trust from its stakeholders. He said Taomac has come a long way to win public acceptance and recognition, adding that such achievements need to be maintained at all costs. “We should not be carried away with these achievements which we must all own and be proud of. I need to salute you for these successes,” he said.

For his part, Naidoo said that his brief stint at the helm of the society gave him a lot of experience. “There were a lot of challenges serving as chairman of this loby and I must admit that I learnt a lot,” he said. He also thanked the government and other stakeholders for the support which have enabled oil firms to operate efficiently, save for a few hitches. “With this kind of co-operation and support from the government, there are all positive signs that the oil sector will grow further,” he added.

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