FINALLY, the One Stop Border Post at Holili on the country’s border with Kenya in Rombo, District, Kilimanjaro Region begins operations mid this month in a new development set to drastically cut on delays in transit cargo clearance at the border.

The TradeMark Africa Country Director, Dr Josephat Kweka, said in Dar es Salaam last week that the Holili OSBP would begin operations on May 18, on pilot basis after Tanzania and Kenya signed bilateral agreement to guide operations of the project.

The US$5.7 million stateof- the-art structure has been set up by Trademark East Africa at Holili on the Tanzania’s side of the border with Kenya to facilitate implementation of the integrated border management systems at Holili and Taveta border posts.

TMA has constructed another US$ 6.7 million infrastructure at the Taveta border post on the Kenyan side for the purpose. Under the project activities of both countries’ border organisations and agencies are combined at either a single common location or at a single location in either direction without increasing risk to public safety or revenue collection.

The idea is to improve efficiency by reducing the total average time it takes to clear cargo at the two border posts by 30 per cent which will contribute to reducing transport costs and increase intra-regional and foreign trade in East Africa.

Tanzania and Kenya had opted for a bilateral agreement instead of a OSBP legislation passed by the East African Legislative Assembly in 2013 to speed up implementation of the project.

The OSBP legislation would have required amendment of a number of EAC laws including the Customs Union Managements Act, so as to provide for changes in the way people will be crossing the borders under OSBP concept.

Operations at the Holili OSBP will offer an alternative transportation route to northern Tanzania from Kenya to the one that passes through Namanga border in Arusha which is considerably longer than the Taveta/Holili route.

TMA is supporting construction of 12 OSBPs in East Africa as part of its activities to foster cross border trade in East African region.

Other sites where construction is going on include Kabanga in Tanzania side of the border with Burundi, Busia in Kenya and Uganda border, Mutukula in Uganda.

Source: All Africa

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TradeMark Africa.