Kigali — Citizens of the region will benefit a great deal from the facilities offered by the One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) system in the East African Community Partner States, but there are still technicalties holding back full implementation. According a report by a committee set up by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), where the facilities are already running, there is free movement of persons and a faster flow of trade between the respective states. The report was adopted by the House during their sitting in Kigali last week.
The regional legislators are now calling for the fast-tracking of all remaining works of the OSBPs to allow its implementation for further integration. During debate, at one stage Shyrose Bhanji said she was concerned with the slow implementation of the decisions of the House and these were being overlooked. “I had hoped to hear there is 100% implementation of the OSBPs. The reasons given for the delay are not good. Where is the problem Honourable Speaker? The process of getting the Bill has been costly. It is important that it is effected,” she said. It was agreed that it is key for the assent of the OSBP Bill, 2013, in the Partner States to be finalized to give it legal effect in the entire region.
According to release fromthe Secretariat, members were informed that Partner States are implementing the OSBP Initiatives bilaterally as they await for completion of the Assent process. At the moment, the Bill which was introduced by the Council of Ministers is in Rwanda for the final assent signature. Already, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have assented to the Bill. The recommendations are contained in a report of the Communication Trade and Investments (CTI) on the OSBPs in EAC Partner States debated and passed by the House. The report was presented to the House by Nancy Abisai on behalf of the Committees Chair, Mukasa Mbidde.
EALA Members undertook an On-Spot Assessment on the One Stop Border Posts in EAC Partner States in the months of April and September 2015. Phase one of the assessment covered OSBPs of Mutukula (Uganda/Tanzania), Mirama Hill/Kagitumba (Uganda/Rwanda) and Rusumo (Rwanda/Tanzania) on 8th to 11th April 2015. The second phase covered Lungalunga/HoroHoro (Kenya/Tanzania), Taveta/Holili (Kenya/Tanzania) and Namanga (Tanzania/Kenya) from September 30 to October 3, 2015. The objectives of the on-the-spot assessment was to find out the status of implementation of the OSBP initiative project and its effect on the movement of people and the EAC business environment.
It also set to interact with stakeholders and identify opportunities and challenges affecting the implementation of effective OSBPs and to come up with relevant recommendations. Stakeholders who participated in the on-spot assessments included Revenue Authorities, Immigration, Bureau of Standards, Police, Clearing and Forwarding Agents, and Traders. Others were Transporters, Local Authorities and Development Partners as well as officials from the EAC Secretariat. One Stop Border Posts substantially reduce days spent at the border crossings and facilitate inter-regional and international transport and road transit.
According to analysts, when exiting one country and entering another, OSBPs combine two stops into one. During the meetings, Members were informed that the construction of OSBPs were delayed at the Mutukula (Tanzania side) due to late handover of the site, power outages and floods among others. Mutukula on the Uganda side also had delays occasioned by re-designing challenges, delays in relocation of police posts occupying the area and delay in release of funds among others. The OSBP on Mirama Hills, which was financed by TradeMark Africa to the tune of $7.8 million was however completed in time as was the facility at Kagitumba, Rwanda/Uganda border.
Construction at Rusumo border is expected to be concluded in time in December 2014. In Namanga, the Report indicates that construction on the Tanzania side has been completed even though not formally handed over due to a number of outstanding issues. On the Kenya side, a number of challenges continue to hamper the completion including erratic power supply, lack of drive through scanners for goods carrying vehicles and funding shortages. Generally on all borders, there is limited knowledge on borders with regards to OSBPs, lack of operating manuals and inadequate water supply.In its findings, the Report underscores training and sensitization programs and the need for teamwork.
Hon Straton Ndikuryayo said the Bill was key in ensuring trade facilitation. Hon Bernard Mulengani said various basic amenities including school, water and housing were lacking and this may have impact on enhancing OSBPs. He further said Partner States were managing OSBPs on bilateral agreements and there was need to address the matter. The Secretary General of the EAC, Amb Dr. Richard Sezibera mentioned that the EAC Summit of EAC Heads of State was keen to assent to the Bills more efficiently. “In the recent past, they have assented to Bills including the EAC HIV and AIDS Management Act, 2012, EAC Conflict Management Act, 2012, EAC Elections Act, 2012 and the EAC Community Emblems (Amendment) Act, 2008.
Others are the Customs Management Amendment Act, 2012 and the EAC Supplementary Act, 2012,” he said. Hafsa Mossi rooted for awareness creation and requested Investment authorities should avail information on investment opportunities at the border. She further called for the harmonization of the time zones between the Partner States. At the moment, Rwanda and Burundi are one hour behind behind Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. This is not the first time this issue has been raised. The Secretary General reiterated that the EAC OSBP Bill and the Vehicle Load Bill were currently in Rwanda on the last stop and that the process of assent was on.
Source: All Africa

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