08 Mar 2022

Botswana is reviewing legislation and developing policies aligned to the rest of Africa for seamless transportation of goods across the continent.

Speaking during a commemorative campaign to celebrate truck drivers’ contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ministry of Transport and Communications permanent secretary Mr Jimmy Opelo noted that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area was aimed at improving intra-Africa trade.

“This will require truck drivers to travel from country to country hence the need to have our legislations harmonised for seamless transportation of goods across the continent.

As Botswana, therefore we are reviewing our legislation and developing policies aligned to the rest of the continent. We are also prioritising linking Botswana to seaports as it will improve intermodal transportation and trade facilitation,” he said.

Mr Opelo said transport system efficiency hinged on a glomeration of systems such as good infrastructure, vehicle condition, driver competencies, vehicle owners, customs and prevailing legislative framework.

He acknowledged the existence of infrastructure gaps as well as high transportation costs which influenced external trade and affected operations.

Mr Opelo described transport as the life blood of the economy because it facilitated growth and development in sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, trade and the entire supply value chain.

Transport, he said,  also provided the necessary connectivity between people and their workplaces and was key in the delivery of supplies  needed on a daily basis.

“We therefore understand the need to advocate for conducive environment to enable our drivers to continue performing diligently for the economies of our country to thrive.

As countries trade with each other, there is need for a transport system that is efficient for goods to reach destinations on time,” he said.

Mr Opelo said governmen was prepared to engage with the transport industry on any proposal advocating for truck drivers’ working conditions and the trucking industry as a whole. 

Pioneered by the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) Secretariat, the campaign was aimed at appreciating truckers who transported goods during the challenging times of COVID-19.

The secretariat’s executive director, Mr Leslie Mpofu said the corridor was jointly developed by Botswana and Namibia with the objective of simplifying cross border transactions and customs operations.

In addition, it sought to harmonise requirements and controls governing movement of goods and persons with a view to reducing transportation costs and transit times, he said.BOPA