Transporters call for better infrastructure

The Chief Executive Officer of Intraspeed S.A.R.L and chairman of Association de Agences en Dounane du Rwanda (ADR) the umbrella organization for clearing and forwarding agencies in Rwanda, John Bosco Rusagara, has called on the governments in the region to improve on the road infrastructure. This comes two days after the Kenyan government ordered 24 hour service on all Kenyan border posts and the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa. The order also banned the use of four axle load trucks that most Rwandan transporters use.. Intraspeed is a Rwandan based freight forwarding company serving the East African region and is one of the country’s main freight transport companies. The company provides customs clearing and forwarding services from Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam. It also provides road haulage services from these ports to different destinations in East Africa. In a telephone interview with the New Times yesterday, Rusagara said that although the recent ban on four axle load trucks will also help to save the Rwandan road network from being damaged by over loading, it was necessary for governments in the region to build roads that can handle trucks that carry many tones of goods. He explained that removing the axle load is not the solution. “I think the best solution is to build roads like the ones in Europe that can accommodate all kinds of trucks,” Rusagara said. He told The New Times that most truck owners in Rwanda had adhered to the new requirements after they were warned almost a year ago. “I do not think it will have an effect on us and besides it takes less than eight hours to adjust the axle load,” Rusagara underscored. He added that many of the people in the transport sector, especially those in the fuel business, had already adhered to the new requirement. Rusagara welcomed the 24 hour border and port service operations saying that they will now be spending less time on clearing goods. “This is likely to help in increasing the number of trips the trucks make because less time will be required for clearing,” Rusagara ended on an optimistic note. The first Vice President of the Private Sector Federation, Faustin Mbundu, told The New Times on phone welcomed the 24 hour border and port service saying it’s an opportunity and at the same time a challenge to both the private sector and the Rwanda Revenue Authority. “This is an opportunity for our private sector to take up, keeping in mind that this was an initiative by our president during the first East African Investment conference,”Mbundu said. It is now up to the RRA to provide 24 hour services and the PSF to sensitize the business community to take advantage of the opportunity. Ends

National

Transporters call for better infrastructure