Transporters have asked the government to increase the number of Covid-19 tests to meet the existing demand. In a statement released over the weekend, Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) said that Mombasa testing centre is only able to cater for 100 drivers, with Nairobi managing 200 and with 400 drivers accessing the port daily, there is a shortfall of 100 drivers.
The government requires the drivers to be tested 48 hours before loading cargo from various points. Covid-19 driver testing is ongoing at both the Kenya and Uganda sides of the border, although KTA cited delays in releasing the results.
“In Malaba, results are released within eight hours, this is remarkable and we sincerely appreciate while in Busia it takes more than 48 hours, we appeal for more adjustments to be made to enhance expeditious release and issuance of certificates,” KTA Chief Executive Officer Dennis Ombok.
There was no movement of cargo both ways at the Namanga border, by Saturday according to KTA. The testing machine was installed with indication of releasing results within six hours but unfortunately, it is taking seventy-two hours for the results to be released, KTA said.
“In Namanga, drivers still move freely and mingle with people as they wait for results, this could increase the spread of COVID-19 for the population around the border both in Kenya and Tanzania,” Ombok said.
To reduce confusion, the transporters requested drivers to be issued a single document to be recognized by the Partner States instead of the current situation where they are given a result slip, then a certificate and finally an attestation form.
They also want enhancement of testing centres’ capacity – both human resource and testing kits, enhancement of laboratory resources to ensure that the results are issued within eight hours and establishment of satellite testing centres along the corridor for efficient service delivery that will not only serve truck drivers but also the general population.
Last week, the East African Community announced plans to adopt Digital Covid-19 Surveillance tracker for drivers.
East Africa Community secretariat said it has adopted the EAC Regional Electronic Cargo and Drivers Tracking System that will be hosted at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The system is expected to share truck driver’s information leveraging on the systems operated by Revenue Authorities in the region, and the existing health information systems in Partner States.
The system allows the users to share information across borders in a transparent manner, and the truck drivers will need to upload the app on their phones.
Continuous screening will be done at selected check points along the transport corridors, which have already been designated, and information made available for all Partner States.
Verification of documents will be done by customs, immigration, law enforcement agencies/ persons who will confirm if a particular traveler is fit to proceed on their journey.
The Digital surveillance tracker will interface and connect directly to designated laboratories in the Partner States to allow the Partner States, for purposes of COVID -19 laboratory results needed to generate the COVID-19 Test Certificates / attestation Certificates for COVID-19 test results.
The National Logistics Platform (NLP), a private sector initiative has also partnered with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Works and Transport in Uganda to implement Journey Management System 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.
Once this system is put in place, drivers are accredited with a permit to move across the EAC known as the Journey Management System.
“Additionally, NLP through the 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 been pushing the regional ports especially Mombasa Port, which handles about 80 percent of the Ugandan cargo, to extend the free storage period for traders affected by the coronavirus related delays.
