Maputo port executive lashes out at restrictive border post policy Leonard Neill RESTRICTED OPERATING hours at the Ressano Garcia and Lebombo road border posts are proving a major obstacle to the development of free trade in the southern African region, says Alec Don, chief executive of the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC). Speaking at the naming ceremony for the first two new tugs in the MPDC development scheme, Don lashed out at the authorities who insist on the border post being opened for no more than eight hours daily. “Even when it is open, notwithstanding streamlined customs clearance procedures at dedicated yards either side of the border, trucks still have to stop at each border in turn for drivers to clear immigration. The consequence of these procedures is often gridlock even when the border is open,” he said. “In no way does this match the aspirations set out for the development corridor. We have a 24 hour port, a 24 hour railway. In no way can we build a trade corridor for the 21st century with an eight hour road. “To open the border requires no significant investment. It requires only procedural changes, possibly some additional people and, of course, decision. “Let’s not be timid. Let’s not take only small steps with one hour or two hour extensions here or there. Let’s not wait to see what trade develops, or wait for even more extreme levels of congestion before taking action. Let’s instead be bold and send the clearest possible message to the market. Let’s instead see a commitment made to match the commitment of the investors who are already moving. Open the border 24 hours for freight and do it now is the call we must make.” The two tugs were named Polana and Xefina after channels through which vessels pass moving in and out of the harbour. Both channels are on the planning boards for dredging in the near future. Each of the tugs has a bollard pull of 37 tonnes, and replaces the long-service Nkomati and Lucheringo which have served the harbour since 1967 and have now been retired. While the tug naming ceremony was in progress a heavy lift vessel from Europe off-loaded new harbour cranes and forklift trucks for use in the port, representing a further US$4 million investment in the port by MPDC.
