Bridging the Gap: linking timber trade with infrastructural ...

Figure 9
Quantities of planks (round wood equivalent) and logs recorded at Kibiti checkpoint, 2001
Logs, unspecified
4% Logs, large
11%
Planks
62%
Logs, small
23%
Source: Kibiti checkpoint records, 2001.
Total volume of timber transported north across Rufiji River
Comparison of data collected by research assistants at Kibiti checkpoint with complimentary data
collected at other specific locations north of the Rufiji River was made to ascertain true volumes of
timber transported north of the Rufiji River. In summary, an estimated 23% of the timber that was
shipped over the Rufiji River was actually recorded at Kibiti checkpoint (Table 13). The majority of this
discrepancy was due to unrecorded sawn wood. This can be attributed to numerous causes, including
underdeclaration of goods (either due to inaccurate estimations of volumes or corrupt practices at the
checkpoint) and using minor roads to bypass the official checkpoint. As a result, approximately 80% of
the potential revenue was lost during this three-month period.
Table 13
Volumes (m 3 ) of round wood passing through Kibiti, 15 th October 2001 to 14 th January 2002
Description Logs Planks Total
Estimated volume passing across Ndundu ferry crossing (A) 1 550 8 950 10 500
Estimated volume passing from Mkongo to Ikwiriri (B) 160 330 490
Estimated volume passing from Mkongo to Kibiti (C) 660 900 1 560
Estimated volume processed by sawmills (D) 1 000 0 1 000
Estimated volume produced by sawmills (E) 0 666 666
Predicted volume passing Kibiti (F = A+B+C-D+E) 1 370 10 850 12 220
Recorded volume passing Kibiti (G) 1 300 1 570 2 870
Percentage volume recorded at Kibiti ((G-F)*100)/G) 95% 15% 23%
Source: TRAFFIC survey data and Kibiti checkpoint records, 2001/2002.
Further, a large discrepancy exists between the volumes of timber for which harvest licences were issued
and volumes actually harvested. During 2001, licences were only issued for the harvest of 10 163 m 3
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