Agencies pledge to speed up cargo clearance at port

President Uhuru Kenyatta being briefed by Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Gichiri Ndua (2nd R) while touring the Port of Mombasa on June 30, 2014. Looking on is Transport Cabinet Secretary Eng. Michael Kamau (L). PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• President Kenyatta told the agencies to fulfil their promises, failure of which they would lose their jobs
• Implementation of the charter is expected to see the integration of all port community members’ systems into the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System

By Nation Reporter
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Agencies operating at the Port of Mombasa on Monday pledged to improve efficiency in a bid to boost trade in East Africa.

They committed themselves to key self-monitoring indicators that are expected to speed up clearance of cargo and its movement along the Northern Corridor.

 

Officials of the government agencies, including the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards and Kenya Maritime Authority, gave the undertaking before President Kenyatta.

They said that the initiative would remove bottlenecks at the port, which have hindered smooth movement of goods and drawn criticism from traders in the region.

President Kenyatta told the agencies to fulfil their promises, failure of which they would lose their jobs.

“You have signed this document on your own volition and I expect all those involved to implement it within the time stated. If you don’t deliver, you should know there are many other Kenyans who can do it,” he said.

The Head of State directed the agencies to draw plans on how they intended to implement the new Mombasa Port Community Charter immediately.

Speaking after officials from the government agencies, private sector and other groups signed the document, the President said that its full implementation would improve efficiency and reduce the cost of transport.

GREEN CHANNEL

“The charter commits parties from both the public and private sectors to measures that will improve efficiency at the port and the Northern Corridor. It also highlights initiatives that are crucial in unlocking the trade potential of the whole of our region,” the President said.

Implementation of the charter is expected to see the integration of all port community members’ systems into the Kenya National Electronic Single Window System and achievement of 70 per cent cargo through the green channel by 2016.

Importers who clear their goods through the green channel are those who are trusted. They do not go through the rigorous procedures.