By Deus Ngowi
POST Covid-19 life
has begun with smooth trade across Tanzania-Kenya borders after the East
African Community (EAC) partner State leaders- Dr John Magufuli and
Uhuru Kenyatta initiated a
diplomatic gesture.
In sight, the
regional apex body of private sector associations and corporate - East
African Business Council (EABC) has confirmed that the initiatives by
the two leaders were paying with witnessed resumption of smooth trade
between the two countries.
Commenting on the
flourishing business, EABC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Peter
Mathuki, said yesterday that agreements struck at a bilateral meeting of
ministers from both sides at Namanga, following the presidential talks
are commendable for they have reduced the clearance of cargo at the
frontiers.
"The sustainable
way to combat the Covid-19 as a region was to deploy an EAC coordinated
approach and also economic recovery strategy. If partner states of the
EAC work in isolation on Covid-19, it will be costly and take us longer
to flatten the curve," pointed out Dr Mathuki, who is also a former East
Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) member.
At the meeting, the
leaders resolved that truck crews first be tested using World Health
Organisation (WHO) standards in their countries of origin and issued
with a 14-day Covid-19 free certificate that one would show during one's
journey into another state.
Dr Mathuki also
lauded the EAC partners for the increased intra-trade in the bloc, where
member states have taken to sourcing final products and raw materials
in wake of the disease that was disrupting global business supply chain.
"The EABC
appreciates President John Magufuli of Tanzania and President Uhuru
Kenyatta of Kenya for reiterating their commitment to the EAC regional
integration agenda," said the CEO.
It was President
Uhuru, who phoned his Tanzanian counterpart for amicable talk as trade
tiff between the two neighbors escalated over Covid-19 testing at the
borders.
In the course, the
leaders agreed and directed their officials to meet at Namanga on May
22, where they resolved to facilitate a seamless cross-border movement
of goods and people to end the stand-off that had led to sanctions
imposed on both sides' merchandises.
However, the
ministers agreed that each country should create conducive places where
the truck drivers could stop for a rest and that such places be equipped
with necessary amenities.
They also agreed
that the two countries undertake random Covid-19 screening at the
designated resting places, said the communique, adding that the testing
be done in a transparent manner.
The parties equally
resolved that in case of a truck crew tested positive of the disease,
the owner of the truck would be allowed to replace the team that would
also be screened and their journey allowed to proceed.
At the same time,
they reached a consensus to release to the public data on the status of
Covid-19 without mentioning the nationality of the infected person.
Tanzania was
represented by Minister for Works, Transport and Communication, Engineer
Isack Kamwelwe, while Kenya was represented by Cabinet Secretary in the
Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and
Public Works, Mr James Macharia.
Dr Mathuki said
that the Namanga one-stop border post remains a strategic entry point
for East and Central Africa and termed the diplomatic intervention a
positive gesture.
Through its 'EAC
Administrative Guidelines to Facilitate Movement of Goods and Services
During the Covid-19 Pandemic', the EAC Secretariat urged EAC partner
states to treat truck drivers and crew, who test positive for Covid-19
in the host partner state, rather than deport them to the country of
origin as that would result in further spread of the disease.
The Secretariat
called on partner states to enforce mandatory screening or testing of
truck drivers and their crew at border posts, and as well undertake
mobile monitoring during transit at selected inland points.
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