Nairobi: The Kenyan and Ugandan governments have embarked on addressing challenges faced by cross-border traders marked by the poor state of infrastructure and inadequate scanners to support the clearing process so as to facilitate seamless trade along the Busia and Malaba One Stop Border Points.
According to Kenya News Agency, trade and transportation through the Busia and Malaba border crossings have experienced growth and constant activity at East Africa's cargo and passenger access points, but there has been a constant voice of concern from traders and transporters regarding an increase in delays, long queues, and high operational costs associated with obsolete and inapt systems.
Speaking after inspecting the OSBPs at Malaba and Busia, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industries, Lee Kinyanjui, and his Ugandan counterpart, Gen. Wilson Mbasu, noted that there is a need for urgent intervention to address the issues raised, which have led to traffic snarl-ups leading to huge losses as a result of delays that are occasioned by clearing processes.
'We cannot keep letting inefficiencies at our main points of entry hinder operations because every delay results in financial loss for our people. We want to make sure that traders move their goods quickly and predictably,' stated CS Kinyanjui.
The two ministers noted that in order to facilitate trade, regional integration, and people-to-people ties, the Government of Kenya and Uganda must upgrade the Suam Point of Entry/Exit to a modern One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) to enable border management officers from both countries to share space for quicker clearance of human and vehicle traffic.
'When delays persist, the very essence of regional integration is undermined. Uganda and Kenya must act fast to keep trade flowing and protect the livelihoods of our traders,' remarked Gen. Mbasu.
The business community, along with regional transport operators, is increasing its lobbying efforts for the delay to be lifted, which has been affecting trade competitiveness. In the past, truck drivers used to wait for days to get their consignments cleared, and as a result, perishable goods spoiled, and operational costs shot up.
Additionally, East African Community integration goals have been constantly undermined, as these issues have not only stalled the flow of goods, but their impact is slowly and steadily becoming worse.
The completion of Suam OSBP (One Stop Border Post) will provide traders with an alternative clearance point, which will reduce procedures and congestion at Malaba and Busia.
The Suam One Stop Border Post will further streamline the security processes and will quicken the movement of manufactured goods, farm products, and other vital goods between the two bordering countries.
This points to the fact that the two countries are under one goal of fighting the trade barriers and of working towards the development of the integrated economy of the region.