Speaking at the Policy Dialogue and Virtual Launch of a recent report by TradeMark East Africa (TMEA) on the impact of COVID 19 on East Africa Community (EAC) trade, Dr. Peter Mathuki, East African Business Council (EABC) Chief Executive Officer recommended priority vaccination for Truck Drivers.
The report launched yesterday was also supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; Sub-Regional Office of Eastern Africa (UNECA SRO-EA) and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC).
Dr. Mathuki also recommended a regionally coordinated approach in the fighting spread of COVID-19 and harmonization of COVID 19 testing charges. Tanzania and Burundi are charging US $ 100, Rwanda $ 60, Uganda $ 50 with Kenya charging between $ 50-$ 100.
Other recommendations by EABC include COVID 19 testing for truck drivers at the point of origin and coordinated approach on the quarantine system for truck drivers, who were categorized as super spreaders during the first days of the COVID 19 in East Africa.
Partner States should continue to issue cushioning facilities to the most adversely affected sectors such as Manufacturing, Tourism, Transport and Logistics, Agriculture and support to women cross border traders and informal traders.
Dr. Mathuki also asked the Partners States to ensure the private sector adopts and fully implements the Regional Electronic Cargo and Driver Tracking System (RECDTS) that was introduced with support from TMEA last year.
This was a case of good practice, which facilitates the issuance of the EAC COVID-19 digital certificates mutually recognized by the Partner States, and thus contributes to reducing delays at border points.
Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Dennis Ombok said that border delays have been addressed through the RECDTS.
The East African Community (EAC) region last year adopted the RECDTS which has registered drivers in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
The EAC secretariat developed this application with the funding from European Union, Global Affairs Canada, Danida, Finland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom through Trademark East Africa (TMEA).
This application was conceived to address the challenges manual certificates faced that included multiple testing of truck drivers at border crossing since there was no framework of mutual recognition of testing and test results across borders.
Covid 19 certificate is now generated electronically and every step, data and information about a driver monitored at a common command center in Nairobi.
The Federation of East Africa Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) due to its regional reach took lead in mobilizing the industry stakeholders.
