‘Too many cooks spoiling the border efficiency broth

Attempts to alleviate the major
problem of border post delays
in Africa may just be a case of
“too many cooks spoiling the broth”,
according to Lawrie Bateman, director
of MSC Logistics.
“The volume of cargo, both
international and local, moving overborder
has increased considerably over
the past decade,” he told FTW. “But,
unfortunately, so have the delays
and costs.
“While there are concerned
organisations involved in efforts to
alleviate the problems, the question is:
Are there too many?”
Among others, there are the
Southern Africa Development
Community (SADC); the East African
Community (EAC); the Common
Market for East and Southern Africa
(Comesa); the Federation of East and
Southern African Road Transport
Associations (Fesarta); and the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development
(Nepad) – all involved in attempting to
solve the border delays hassle.
But, he asked, even with all their
regular meetings and conferences,
are they actually solving the major
problems that exist for importers
and exporters?
He believes the required solutions
include: reducing the cost of crossborder
trade; overcoming the
administrative hurdles; somehow
simplifying the complex customs
procedures, clearance and cargo
inspections; cutting down on border
post delays; improving security and
reducing corruption; and standardising
the currently different requirements at
each border.
What is needed to unlock the
growth potential of trade through the
Southern African transport arteries
(especially the north/south corridor),
Bateman told FTW, “is high-level
political commitment, together with
private sector involvement from major
transport and logistical companies.
“At the same time, we must not
forget development banks and world
aid organisations – as funding will be
required to develop and refurbish the
presently ailing infrastructure of the
road and rail networks throughout
the region.”
To see the required principles in
action, and the benefits of mutual
co-operation and overseas funding,
one just has to look at the new “onestop”
Chirundu Border Post between
Zimbabwe and Zambia,
he added.
“Although truck delays have
not been completely eradicated,”
said Bateman, “there is certainly an
improvement on the previous delays of
up to a month – or more on occasion.
“Let’s hope that we will soon enjoy
similar innovation throughout all of
southern Africa.”