EAC countries urged to eliminate barriers to transportation

East African Community (EAC) partner states have been called upon to eliminate all physical and non-physical barriers to transportation to enhance cross-border trade and economic growth in the region where intra-regional trade which is low and currently stands at 15%. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, on October 25 underscored the role of transportation in facilitating the movement of people, goods, services, and resources and improving access to local and international markets. He was speaking in Mombasa, Kenya, when he presided over the Ministerial Session of the 19th EAC Sectoral Council on Transport, Communications and Meteorology. Chirchir also emphasised the critical role of digitalisation in promoting connectivity and economic growth, noting that in today's digital age, communication is the bridge that connects all nations and entities, transcending geographical boundaries. “It is through effective communication systems that we can share knowledge, foster innovation and build a cohesive community,” he said. Chirchir said that meteorology plays a critical role in the region’s ability to anticipate and mitigate the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. “Accurate and timely meteorological data are therefore essential for planning and protecting our infrastructure, agriculture, and communities,” he said. The EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, said that the main purpose of investing in infrastructure development along the Northern and Central Transport Corridors is to facilitate the movement of people and enhance intra-regional trade which is still low and currently stands at 15%. “Intra-regional trade in Europe, Asia and Latin America ranges at over 60%. Intra-regional trade can promote economic integration and development within a regional economic community, as well as increase trade flows and reduce dependence on external markets,” said Ariik. Ariik disclosed that in rail transport, partner states are pushing on with projects to actualise the East African Railways Network connected through the Standard Gauge Railway and hailed Tanzania for the recent launch of services between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma. “A total of 1,120Km of SGR is operational in Kenya and Tanzania, a further 1,100km is undergoing construction in Tanzania and about 4000km is under project preparation in all partner states. The EAC will harmonise the standards to ensure seamless operations across the regional network,” said Ariik. He said that to achieve seamless connectivity of the railway system, synergy must be built in joint resource mobilisation to ensure there are no gaps that would render the programme ineffective. Ariik said that for East Africa to cope with climate change and improve the safety of air transport, it must equip itself with automatic weather stations and to adopt quality management systems for Aeronautical Meteorological Services. “So far, five Radar Stations and over 30 automatic weather stations have been added to the regional network,” he said. “The modernisation of meteorological services also depends on the institutional frameworks and currently, only three countries have autonomous agencies responsible for meteorological and hydrological services. It is important that the region moves as one in this respect,” added Ariik. Also present at the meeting that was conducted in a hybrid manner were: Dieuconne Dukundane, Burundi's Minister for Infrastructure, Equipment and Social Housing; Jimmy Gasore, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure; Dennis Londo, Tanzania's Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs, and Godfrey Baluku, Uganda's Minister of State ICT and National Guidance. Representing Ministers at the meeting were Capt. David Subek Dada, the Director General of South Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority and Said Mohamud Ahmed, Somalia's Director General and Director Finance and Administration.

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EAC countries urged to eliminate barriers to transportation