Transport veteran and founder of the Federation of Eastern and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), Barney Curtis – who passed away last weekend – will be remembered for his tireless efforts in lobbying for improved transport standards in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Known to many as ‘Mr Fesarta’, he was always available to FTW journalists for authoritative comment, speaking passionately on behalf of the road transport industry.
“The trucking industry owes him a debt of gratitude for his persistent and determined contributions in the field of transport,” current Fesarta chairman Mike Fitzmaurice told FTW. The Road Freight Association’s Gavin Kelly told FTW that Curtis, along with Mike Scott, was one of the pillars of the transport industry who had pioneered the non-tariff trade barrier complaints for the region.
“As a cross-border transporter himself, Barney had a wealth of knowledge and experience and he used this experience to actively engage with donors, transport authorities, truckers and cargo owners on behalf of the industry. His passing is a great loss,” Kelly said.
Tributes to Curtis have been received from transport associations and colleagues from across the SADC and East African region with many lauding him for helping to shape transport policies that were “business friendly” and supported economic growth in the regions.
“His extended personal commitment to the cause of regional transport has left a rich legacy of standards and programmes for future improvement. The ultimate tribute than can be paid to Barney will be an equal commitment to completing the work to which he devoted so much time and effort,” said Fitzmaurice.
Barney leaves his wife Carol and family
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Leaving a legacy… Barney Curtis.
