The National Logistics Platform (NLP) has partnered with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Works and Transport in Uganda to implement Journey Management System (JMS) and ensure that the initiative is adopted in the other Member Partner States in the East African Community (EAC).
The proposed system addresses a number of issues which include tracking and tracing of truck crew members, monitoring their welfare and behavior on and off the truck, timely risk communications as well as promoting road safety.
Over 400 truck drivers were tested at Liberty ICD in Namanve between 18-27 May this year. This figure is independent of the several thousands of transit truck drivers that are being tested at various points of entry into Uganda.
Once this system is put in place, drivers are accredited with a permit to move across the EAC region known as the Journey Management System.
“Additionally, NLP through the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) is lobbying the government of Kenya to harmonise and standardize the conditions of operating the Naivasha ICD in regard to transit bound cargo. Industry position is that Naivasha ICD should be optional and a matter of choice for the importer and that the Government of Uganda should fast track the development of Tororo ICD because it will help position Uganda as a regional transit trade hub,” Dr. Merian Sebunya , Chairman of NLP told Freight Logistics.
Through the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA) and East African Business Council (EABC), NLP has also been pushing for the extension of the free storage period for traders affected by the Coronavirus related delays.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) last month extended free cargo storage period to cushion shippers from the delays occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic. Domestic export containers now enjoy a free storage period of 15 days compared to earlier 9 days.
Transit import containers at the port and Inland Container Depot in Embakasi enjoys a 14 days free storage period from 9 days with transit import container in Naivasha enjoying 30 days. Transit export container will now enjoy a 20 days free storage period from the current 15 days.
The changes were announced by the acting Managing Director Rashid Salim for a period of 90 days. However domestic import cargo four days free storage period remained unchanged.
“This is in line with our deliberate and continuous efforts of cushioning our customers of the Covid-19 which has affected the entire logistics chain,” Salim said in a public notice.
Clearing agents have been urging the governments and the shipping lines to consider extending the free storage periods so as to allow affordable clearing and forwarding goods from the ports while cushioning cargo owners for incurring further losses occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic.
NLP has also asked industry stakeholders to appreciate the role played by the truck drivers in getting essential goods and raw materials into the marketplace.
“Truck drivers are front line of the disease and already working in dangerous environment to ensure that the supply chain is not broken and there is timely delivery of the supplies despite the hardships during the pandemic,” Sebunya said
“Efforts should be put in sensitising them on how to protect themselves from contracting Covid-19. NLP is discussing with the government to see how to manage driver welfare and ensure the fact that they still have access to basic needs as they perform their duties.” She added.
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