Cargo owners who have been enjoying discounted offers on storage of their goods at the Magerwa-bonded warehouses have been urged to rush to clear them as deadline looms.

This is after government allowed for the clearance of all goods that had been stuck in the warehouses amidst the ongoing lockdown imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.

"Magerwa Ltd would like to inform all its clearing agents and cargo owners that the warehouse storage discount for cargo stored in Magerwa Gikondo will come to an end,” a statement from Magerwa reads in part.

Lambert Nyoni, the CEO of Magerwa told The New Times the discount had been offered to allow cargo owners whose goods, especially those considered non-essential, were not authorized to be cleared.

"Since the government has allowed all essential and non-essential cargo to be cleared from the warehouse, we are calling on all owners to come and take their goods,” he said.

Workers pack chili peppers at DP World Kigali facility in Masaka, Kicukiro District.  Photo: Courtesy. 

The management of Magerwa set Thursday next week, April 30 as the last day to clear all goods.

"Normal storage charges as per tariff will start from 19 May 2020,” the logistics firm, which handles a significant portion of Rwanda's cargo, said.

Magerwa is one of the largest logistics firms in the country, which handles a significant share of imports and exports out of Rwanda.

The directive is not limited to Magerwa, according to Rwanda Revenue Authority.

Rosine Uwamariya, the Commissioner of Customs at RRA said this applies to others including those who have goods at Dubai Ports World (Kigali Logistics Platform), and Bolloré Logistics.

Speaking to The New Times, Sumeet Bhardwaj the CEO and Managing Director of DP World Kigali said that there have been operating normal shifts and releasing cargo to clients but hastened to add that business has been slow.

"The throughput is less as many clients are not allowed to commute due to lockdown restrictions.”