Ugandan government want to be given option in using the Naivasha ICD for transit cargo. This follows a directive issued last week by the Kenya government to have cargo destined to Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan be handled at the ICD.
The Minister for Roads and Infrastructure in Uganda Eng. Edward Katumba wrote to James Macharia, Kenya Cabinet Secretary (CS) in charge of transport, saying that this decision was arrived at after the notice was reviewed by his ministry and private sector.
“It would not reduce the human traffic movement as truck drivers will still be required to pick the containers from Naivasha to their destination,” Katumba said.
He further said that if the Kenya government make it more attractive, big industry players like Bollore Logistics, Mukwano Group of Companies and others can be encouraged to start using this facility because of economies of scale.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), which is the lead agency, has provided requisite office accommodation and had requested revenue authorities in Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan to deploy staff to make clearance of the cargo through ICD fully functional by 1st June.
All transit cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan will be transported either on Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for clearance at Naivasha ICD or Medium Gauge Railway (MGR) to Tororo or Kampala, the government had announced.
“All transit cargo railed to the ICD at Naivasha will be collected by trucks to the Partner States via Busia and Malaba. Further, fuel products will be transported by pipeline to Kisumu and transported by Lake Victoria port Beila or Jinja,” the notice had announced.
The notice further said that all transit cargo transported on SGR will be armed at the ICD and will be tracked through the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS).
“All exports, both full and empty containers, not railed on MGR will be delivered at the ICD Naivasha for railage to the port of Mombasa,” the CS announced.
This move followed a recent visit to the ICD facility by the Rwandan High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Richard Masozera, Democratic Republic of Congo chargé d’affaires to Kenya Mr. Michel B. Muzare and Mr Lam Isaac from the Republic of South Sudan in a familiarization tour.
The delegation, according to Kenya Railways, was on a mission to learn about the nature of operations at the Naivasha ICD and its suitability in handling cargo destined for their countries.
The facility has 45,000 Square Metres and has a capacity of handling 2 million tonnes of goods per year. It was envisaged to receive 216 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) every day at first.
Both Uganda and South Sudan have been given parcels of land by the government within the proximity of the Naivasha ICD. The parcels are ideal for cargo marshalling and other logistical investment.
For any feedback, contacts us via editorial@feaffa.com / freightlogistics@feaffa.com /info@feaffa.com; Mobile: +254703971679 / +254733780240
