Call for action as crime shuts down capital projects

Crime is costing Africa millions of rands every year as it brings to a halt capital projects that drive its economy. For Arne Fayd’herbe de Maudave of Panalpina World Transport, finding a solution to acts of criminality – be it piracy at sea or the theft of cargo at ports or en route to a project site – should be a priority. “The risk to the industry and to the development in Africa where major projects are happening up the East and West coasts is enormous,” he said. “Capital projects are driving the economy of this continent and if cargo gets hijacked at any point of the supply chain, it stops a project immediately.” He said the impact of crime went much further than many thought. “The grounding of a project that could contribute significantly to a country’s GDP and that is employing thousands of people is a major blow to a country – especially in Africa where these projects are needed. All these are elements that add up and that make the payer of the bill, ultimately the African citizen, pay much more than he should be paying. It is costing them.” He said the impact of a $70-billion project coming to a halt, with hundreds of African people left unemployed because of the acts of five pirates on a speedboat with an RPG, had major cost implications. And in light of the ongoing economic woes in Europe – with more pressure on these countries to pull their navies from the African coasts where they have been patrolling Africa – the continent will be forced to find solutions to its own security risks. David Butler, managing director of Southern Africa Control Risks, said until onshore security problems were resolved Africa would never see its piracy threat go away. “Africa is going to have to take control of the security risks,” he said. Already steps are being taken, with a detention centre having been set up in Mauritius where arrested pirates are held before being charged. “There is also now a piracy monitoring centre in the Seychelles,” said Butler. INSERT & CAPTIONS If cargo gets hijacked at any point of the supply chain, it stops a project immediately. – Arne Fayd'herbe de Maudave Until onshore security problems are resolved, Africa will never see its piracy threat go away. – David Butler