‘SADC must be involved in implementation’

The one-stop concept is clearly the answer for some of Africa’s congested and tired border posts – but unless the correct procedures are followed they will be doomed to fail. Barney Curtis, executive director of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), says while one-stop border posts are for the most part the answer, it is important that SADC be involved in the implementation. “Several years ago SADC decided to draw up a strategy for one-stop border posts and earmarked Chirundu as the pilot project for the first such facility. This strategy ensured there was no duplication and that everyone knew who was doing what.” With Chirundu having achieved one-stop status in December, the next one on the list will be earmarked by SADC. “Several countries have tried to go it alone and have failed. There are just too many processes involved, while funding is crucial. If the right organisations are on board, the funding comes along.” Curtis says it is much more fruitful to join the SADC initiative than to try to go it alone. “There are three processes involved of which the first is legal. This means that you need to have a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two countries involved and parliamentary laws that allow for a one-stop facility.” The second process is procedural and just as important. “This is all about the decisionmaking – who is going to do what and when, while the third infrastructural process is about ensuring that the right systems and infrastructure are in place that can allow a one-stop border post to function.”