The Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) has started a publicity campaign to promote the use of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which will guide the industry in coping with Covid19 as the logistics industry seeks to spring back in a ‘ new normal’ environment.
The SOPs were developed by a team of industry experts in cargo transport, Warehousing, Freight Forwarding, Customs clearance and public health. They were sent to the different stakeholders for input.
The SOPs have now been converted into short videos and posters and will be shared among the industry stakeholders through social media platforms to create awareness and sensitization.
“FEAFFA is working with other stakeholders to monitor and ensure that the guidelines are followed properly,” Fred Seka, FEAFFA president said.
The COVID19 messages were recently sanctioned by the World Health Organizations (WHO) through their representatives in the republic of Kenya. Other key industry stakeholders who reviewed the materials include the East African Community (EAC) and the East African Business Council (EABC).
“Since the COVID19 messages have been sanctioned by WHO, FEAFFA will work closely with the Ministries of Health in each partner state to complement efforts geared towards stopping the spread of the virus,” added Seka.
This initiative is being supported by USAID East Africa and the Dutch government through Trademark East Africa (TMEA) and in partnership with FEAFFA. It is being rolled out in collaboration with the Kenya Transporters Association (KTA), Regional Lorry Drivers and Drivers Association (RLDA), Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) and Transporters Association of Tanzania (TAT).
Other collaborators include the Long-distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LODDCA), Association des Transporteurs Internationauz du Burundi (ATIB) and Association de Transporateurs et Transitaires Agrees du Rwanda (ATAR).
SOP measures target cargo road trucking-drivers, crew and transporters; warehousing, Container Freight Station (CFSs) and Inland Container Depots (ICD). The other set of measures are targeting customs clearance and freight forwarders sector.
Logistic players have remained critical in ensuring sustenance of supply chain and provision of essential goods in the region. This has helped the EAC to have raw materials for vital components of the economy and availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to fight Covid 19.
“The SOPs will guide all day-to-day activities to ensure seamless movement of goods and services across the borders, support efforts by EAC Partner States in harmonizing regional approaches against Covid 19 as well as support the regional and global protocols to tackle the pandemic’’ Seka added.
The latest data indicates that the Covid 19 is likely to remain with us in coming days hence the need to ensure strong vigilance and avoid compromising the gains the industry has so far made.
