As concern mounts over operating efficiencies at the Beit Bridge border post, international donors are actively being lobbied to help upgrade facilities. According to Barney Curtis, executive officer of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), attempts are under way to bring the Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (sponsored by the British Government) on board in an effort to find a solution to what many describe as a ticking time bomb. “The border post is under severe pressure. The infrastructure, staff and systems are stretched to the limit and it will only take a small hiccup to cause chaos,” said Curtis. “At least 600 trucks are moving through the border post daily and the system cannot cope. That is more than double compared to a few years back.” He said consolidated multiple entry loads were taking up to five days to get through the border post. “Long queues on both the northern and southern side are causing frustration to drivers, but it is also verging on chaos with gas and fuel tankers queuing alongside trucks and other vehicles.” According to Curtis, Fesarta is proposing a workshop for early 2009 to allow all roleplayers and stakeholders to get together and find solutions. “Despite being one of the few border posts that has interborder meetings taking place regularly, Beit Bridge is a major concern and it is affecting the entire north/south corridor. Working groups are already gathering information on what needs to be done to improve operations. Once we have this information, we will hold the workshop.” Proposals for the upgrade of the border post include accelerating the one-stop-border post plans as well as re-opening the old bridge. “Once repaired you will have two operational bridges at the border post, which will ensure a much quicker service.” According to Curtis, border posts such as Kazungula and Chirundu are also under pressure, but not to the extent of Beit Bridge.
