Tanzania and Zambia have inked a special agreement to address problems arising along the main Dar-Es-Salaam Corridor which links the two neighbor countries.
According to Lusaka Times the communique to that effect is to ensure seamless flow of traffic between Zambia and Tanzania in sync with reduction of the cost of trade between Kapiri-Mposhi and Dar-Es-Salaam.
According to the agreement, Zambia will be implementing the Chinsali-Nakonde Rehabilitation Project, as Tanzania is upgrading the Tunduma-Igawa Road into the dual carriageway.
The contract was signed during a two-day Bilateral Road Transport Meeting held at the Tunduma border precinct and graced by ministries of transport from the two countries.
The Road Transport Bilateral Meeting was convened to review and resolve the challenges transporters are facing along the Dar-Es-Salaam Corridor, following a joint technical committee report that had input from the assessment of the transport route from Kapiri-Mposhi to Dar-Es-Salaam.
Permanent Secretary in the Zambian Ministry of Transport and Logistics Fredrick Mwalusaka signed the document for his government.
Tanzania’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Transport, Gabriel Migire inked for Dar-es-salaam.
Zambian Minister of Information and Media Kennedy Kalunga also attended the bilateral meeting and witnessed the signing of the communiqué, noting that the outcome of the sessions will create a common understanding between the two countries.
Revenue Authorities were directed to extend the implementation of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System from Nakonde and Tunduma OSBP to Kusumbalesa Border Post to promote a seamless flow of traffic and enhance security.
It is all meant to enhance the flow of goods and services that pass through the Nakonde and Tunduma’s One Stop Border Post.
Zambian and Tanzanian authorities re-affirmed their commitment to implement the decisions reached during similar meetings held in Lusaka in September 2022 and the latest which took place in Tunduma, Tanzania, June 2023.
Signed documents stipulate that Zambia and Tanzania organize a Technical Working Group to oversee all the harmonisation related to issues impeding on the smooth flow of traffic along the Dar-Es-Salaam Corridor and in particular the harmonisation of charges along the corridor.
Both states reaffirmed their commitment to addressing all transport infrastructure challenges in order to mitigate congestion difficulties at Nakonde-Tunduma One Stop Border Post (OSBP) and along the Corridor.
Other commitments contained in the communiqué include enhanced enforcement of road traffic safety regulations and weighbridge regulations to bring about sanity in the sector, while the private sector was encouraged to uphold best business practices to promote cross-border trade along the Corridor.