Letter - Border post operating hours – clearing agents should see the big picture

AS THE representative of FESARTA, I wish to comment on the article, “Wrong Border gets Extended Hours”, (January 20, 2006). I do not agree with the heading. Furthermore, to introduce the article with “ In a move that has taken the freight industry by surprise….”, is in my opinion also not correct. To give you a little background on the matter: For many years the road freight industry has been lobbying for extended commercial operating hours at all border posts on the major road transport corridors. Martins Drift/Groblersbrug is one such border post. The lobbying has included requests for 24 hour commercial operations (24/7) at the busiest border posts, such as Beit Bridge, Chirundu, Lebombo/Ressano Garcia, Tlokweng/Kopfonteinhek, etc. There are also ongoing discussions as to whether some of the border posts should be commercially open for 24/7 or just to midnight, or even to 10pm (as per the new hours at Martins Drift/Groblersbrug ). Martins Drift/Groblersbrug is gaining in popularity as the border post of preference for goods to the North since the route through Zimbabwe is fraught with sudden increases in costs, like the increase in the carbon tax from US$360 per annum to US$360 per month. Also, trade with Zimbabwe has diminished in recent years, whilst the copper mines in Zambia and to the north have shown considerable growth. It was expected that the clearing agents at the various border posts would not agree with the lobbying by the road freight industry, since, if the lobbying were to be successful, their members would be required to man the border posts for more hours than they felt was necessary. There are continuing discussions between the agents and the road freight industry on this matter. FESARTA however, together with other stakeholders in the region, believes that extending the commercial border operating hours is not just for the benefit of the road transport industry, but also for trade facilitation in the region as a whole. The global competitiveness of the region is a factor which has been alluded to on many occasions by presidents and prime ministers alike and their views must be taken into consideration. Closing border posts at any time at the busiest border posts is not conducive to the marketing of the region as a whole, or any corridor in particular. I am sure you realise that the border authorities would not extend commercial operating hours without serious investigation. They too have to provide extra manpower and resources to comply with the new hours. They, like FESARTA, are looking at the bigger picture in the interests of the region as a whole. Thus, I see your article as being biased towards the views of the clearing agents and does not consider the freight industry as a whole. BARNEY CURTIS. Executive officer, Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (FESARTA).