Implementation of the Mombasa Port Community Charter, two years on

“Based on what has happened so far since the signing of the Charter, it is clear that public/private sector engagement in seeking solutions to problems that hinder the growth of our Port and efficiency of Transport Logistics services in the region is a sure way of progressing”, recalled  the Principle Secretary of Transport, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Kenya, Hon. Wilson Nyakera Irungu, while on his visit at the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) Secretariat, in Mombasa, on 22 September 2016.

During the visit, Hon. Nyakera Irungu and Donat Bagula, the NCTTCA Secretary, discussed among other things the Mombasa Port community Charter implementation, areas affecting the competitiveness of the Corridor in the region, NCTTCA plan in Improvement the Monitoring of the performance of the Corridor, Development of the NCTTCA strategic Plan 2017-2021 and Member States budget contributions.

Hon. Nyakera Irungu commended the NCTTCA Secretariat, for being a success story in Corridor Management and Performance Monitoring, as one of the Signatories of the Charter which committed itself to monitor the Implementation of the Port Community Charter and the Northern Corridor Performance through the Transport Observatory and Dashboard.

The NCTTCA Executive Secretary, Donat Bagula said that since it’s signing on 30 June 2014, the implementation of the Charter by the signatories has been going on for the last two years and is monitored through a Dash Board under the guidance and direction of the Port Charter Steering Committee, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure with the support from Trade Mark East Africa.

“From June 2014 to June 2016, some indicators especially the Maritime have been achieved”, said Bagula. “Prior to 2014 on average, vessel waiting time was 2.5 days though some vessels waiting up-to 7 days. Currently the vessel waiting time is less than 10 hours where the target is 24 hours”

Bagula added that good progress was registered as regards the vessel turnaround time where prior to 2014, was between 5 and 7 days. Currently vessel turnaround time is at an average of about 3.5 days. Target is 3 days.

“Stakeholders, especially the steering committee should come up with a roadmap to aim higher and review these targets and double efforts to improve on and attain others yet to be achieved”, urged Hon. Nyakera Irungu.