Rwanda Stakeholders Laud the Government of Kenya for Infrastructure Developments along the Northern Corridor
Following the Multi-Agency Stakeholders’ sensitization mission organised and carried out by the NCTTCA Secretariat and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in December 2019 in Burundi, DRC and Rwanda, Stakeholders in those countries requested for a tour of Mombasa Port facilities and other cargo handling and clearance facilities in Kenya managed by KPA.
It is in that context that from 3rd to 6th March 2020, KPA organised a series of meetings and guided tour for the Stakeholders at the Mombasa Port, ICD Nairobi and Naivasha ICD facilities. The guided tour and meetings attracted participation from the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC), Kenya Railways (KR), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA), Private Sector Federation (PSF) Rwanda, and Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA).
The objective of organizing the tour for the Rwanda stakeholders was to appreciate the initiatives put in place to facilitate users of Mombasa Port; learn about the Port, SGR and ICDs operations; strengthen cooperation and collaboration for a conducive working environment, and discuss issues affecting the use of the Mombasa port by Rwanda Stakeholders.
Rwanda Stakeholders group photo outside KPA offices at the Port of Mombasa.
During the Rwanda Stakeholders’ meeting with KPA officials, the visiting delegation was briefed on key infrastructure and technological developments that have been implemented to enhance the efficiency of the Port operations.
The Rwanda delegation, led by the Chairman of Rwanda Private Sector Federation; Mr Robert Bapfakurera lauded the Government of Kenya and implementing agencies for the extensive and mega infrastructural developments and efficient services to promote global trade.
On the Performance of the Port, KPA revealed to the Rwanda delegation that in the period January-December 2019, the Port of Mombasa recorded 34,439,264 tons with a growth of 3,515,976 tons or 11.4 per cent compared to the 30,923,288 tons registered in the corresponding period in 2018. Container traffic during the period January-December 2019 increased by 112,792 TEUs or 8.7 percent after registering 1,416,654 TEUs compared to the 1,303,862 TEUs handled in 2018.
KPA also gave a brief on the progress of Sh30 billion Dongo Kundu free port with an area of 3,000 acres where a Free Economic Zone is being developed. The Free Port will allow traders to bring in their cargo, repackage and export it. At the Port, the delegation toured the Ship Container Terminal, SGR Cargo yard and the Cruise Terminal.
The tour proceeded in ICD Nairobi where the delegation was received by the Manager ICDN; Peter Masinde and taken through the operations at the ICD Nairobi and performance of the facility. The stakeholders were taken round to the container yards, ICD security checks, train and trucks container loading and offloading zones and dangerous goods container yard.
ICD Nairobi receives between 800-1000 TEUs daily using SGR from 100-150 TEUs using MGR.
The ICD Nairobi Manager told the Rwanda Stakeholders that the ICD has 2,978 ground slots with holding capacity of 15,000 TEUs and an annual throughput of 450,000 TEUs. The SGR has improved operations by enabling receipt from Mombasa Port of 800-1000 TEUs daily from 100-150 TEUs which used to be received using the MGR. The SGR has 1,620 wagons for transportation of containerized and non-containerized cargo of which 490 wagons are for bulk cargo and 80 for special cargo. The ICDN has 336 reefer tracks and an enclosed dangerous goods container yard.
KPA also shared the developments at the inland port of Kisumu which can handle both containerized and conventional cargo-carrying capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes. Also, a refurbished MV Uhuru with a capacity of up to 1,000,000 litres ferries oil to Port Bell in Uganda.
To appreciate the expansion of the rail transit developments, the stakeholders travelled by rail to ICD Naivasha. Countries are advised to consign their cargo being transported by SGR. It was reported that transit countries including Rwanda will be allotted land for construction of storage facilities for cargo destined to their countries.
ICD Naivasha is a 45,000-square-meter facility linked by a 2.6-kilometre connection road to the Maai Mahiu-Narok road. It will serve outbound transit cargo and exports in transit to Mombasa being transported by SGR.
KPA also shared with Rwanda Stakeholders plans by the Kenyan government to revamp the MGR and link it to the SGR in Naivasha.
During the various meetings held, Rwanda stakeholders and the Northern Corridor trade facilitation agencies engaged on the steps being taken to engage all stakeholders especially those in Tanzania to ensure seamless flow of traffic through the shorter transit route to Rwanda through Taveta/Holili border station; explored the challenge of trade facilitation agents from Rwanda to obtain work permits in Kenya, and Rwanda Clearing Agents lack access to the KRA Customs business system to clear goods.
Other main challenges discussed include the need for KPA and KPC to review prices for their services to be competitive as compared to other service providers in the Region and the lack of a platform for arbitration to resolve issues amicably and fast.
Rwanda Stakeholders were represented by BRALIRWA, China Road and Bridge Corporation, COFATOLE, ERI Rwanda, Gorilla Logistics, MASTERSTEEL, Ministry of Trade & Industry, ROKO Construction, RWACOF, Rwanda Freight Forwarders Association (RWAFFA), Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF), Rwanda Shippers Council, SAFINTRA, and Société Pétrolière.