Truckers’ Forum sets the groundwork for integrated solutions

The first-of-its-kind Truckers’ Forum held in March this year was a resounding success, resulting in the drafting of a manuscript documenting the five biggest problems experienced by truckers in the region as well as possible solutions. According to organiser Barney Curtis, executive director of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta), the final draft will be handed over to the Comesa/EAC/SADC Tripartite alliance which will incorporate it into their trade and transport programme. It will also be linked with the regional Non-Tariff Barrier system (NTBC). The NTBS is the official channel for complaints on problems and issues experienced across East and Southern Africa. “We will also be doing a presentation of some sort to the Tripartite who will be able to take what was workshopped at the Forum forward.” Curtis said this was the beginning of an ongoing process. “The forum showed us that the problems are not quick and easy to solve and will need political involvement at high level. It did, however, start a process of engagement where the private sector becomes a part of the solution.” The next forum, set to take place in Nairobi in Kenya next year, will take the process further by looking at what has happened since March 2012 and where more focus needs to be placed. “The conference was attended by more than 100 people from across the region and gave us a very good look into what the practical issues are on the ground,” he said. “As we move forward from this point we need to make sure that the problems and solutions that we have workshopped at the forum are harmonised and integrated in the NTBC system to bring about an integrated way of approaching the issues at hand. If we do not work together we will never find solutions.” The problems finally documented following the workshop include border procedures, documentation, smuggling and infrastructure, load limits and overloading control, excessive and arbitrary charges, levies and taxes, unacceptable levels of road safety and the low level of adherence to regulations, and poor relationships with authorities. “Many of the problems are generic,” said Curtis. “What we realised while workshopping at the forum was that many of the truckers had the same issues and problems. Something like corruption for instance is a major problem, but we can’t just sort it out at a private level. You need much wider involvement to bring about success. With the Tripartite Alliance on board we believe we can see the solutions implemented over time.” CAPTION: Barney Curtis ... ‘problems are not quick and easy to solve.