NTBs still impede regional integration, says new report

A report compiled during the ministerial assessment tour of the ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, indicates that though some partner states have tried to eliminate trade barriers, more hurdles were still obstructing the effective running of businesses in the region.During the tour that Trade and Industry Minister, Francois Kanimba attended, the ministers discovered bureaucratic tendencies at the two ports, unnecessary roadblocks and other administrative issues, as among the bottlenecks. The many weighbridges along the northern and central corridors result in goods not reaching their destinations on time. Affected destinations are Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi.There were 36 roadblocks between Mombasa and Kigali and 30 between Dar -Es Salaam and Rusumo border, Uganda has nine (9) between Malaba and Gatuna.The findings show that Tanzania has reduced Dar es Salaam-Rusumo roadblocks to 15. Rwanda and Burundi were identified as doing all they can to remove all roadblocks compared to other member states.Lengthy procedures in issuing work permits among EAC Partner States, especially Tanzania, were also revealed as a problem. Others problems cited were lack of parking yards at border posts, corruption along the two corridors and some countries as well as blocking of Cargo Trucks from moving beyond 6:00 pm within Tanzania.During a news briefing, Emmanuel Hategeka, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said that intense negotiations to ensure total elimination of barriers were taking place.“We are discussing with other members of the bloc to reduce the weighbridges, especially as regards transit cargo, along the corridors,” said Hategeka.The Northern and Central corridors link the two ports to the hinterland. Tanzania has accepted to remove a $200 levy imposed on Kenyan trucks and also scrapped visa charges on Kenyan businessmen entering it.Some of the truck drivers who spoke to The New Times confirmed that they were still being hindered by roadblocks not only in other countries but also in Rwanda, something they said needed an immediate solution.“I normally drive from Kampala through Kigali and Bujumbura. There are many roadblocks in Uganda and Bujumbura. Even in Kigali they still exist.“From Gatuna/Katuna to Kigali, I am always stopped by traffic police officers about four times and at each roadblock I have to pay something (a bribe), at least Rwf1000, and if the truck lacks some documents I pay Rwf 5000,” a truck driver (name withheld) said. The driver said that they still pay the Rwf1000 for parking per hour, something he said has always affected his business.Hamid Assuman, a Burundian national who operates between Bujumbura, DRC and Kigali transporting construction materials, said his fear is high way robbery in the DRC.“I drive from Bujumbura to Kigali and then to Goma in the DRC. We always encounter the problem of corruption and highway robbery in Burundi and Goma,” he said.He added traffic officers in Kigali normally stop him to check driving licenses and other documents but they have never asked for bribes.When contacted, Rwanda Revenue Authority’s Director of Tax Payer Service Development, Drocella Mukashyaka, refuted claims of roadblocks in Rwanda. “Those drivers are just exaggerating. We no longer have these roadblocks and if you want to know more you should come to my office and we discuss,” she said.Gerald Mukubu, deputy CEO in charge of advocacy at the Private Sector Federation, observed that trade barriers still existed even in the country. According to Mukubu, on average, around 150 trucks come to Rwanda everyday, including those in transit to Bujumbura and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.The trucks, according to Mukubu, are stopped at a site in Rugende, just outside Kigali to avoid traffic congestion during the day and then released at night. He advised that at least these trucks should be released after every thirty minutes to allow them move in order not to be accused of causing delays.Among the key decisions taken at the dedicated session were; transit vehicles will be weighed twice from the Port of entry and Port of exit for Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi while the United Republic of Tanzania awaits a study on the establishment of the weighbridges.

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NTBs still impede regional integration, says new report