Help us address delays at Kasumbalesa border post - Ndola Chamber
By Daily Star Reporter
4/25/2022 2:55:57 PM
The Ndola Chamber of Commerce says it is gravely concerned about recent reports of delays in customs processing at the Kasumbalesa boarder.
NDCCI president Paul Chisunka said Kasumbalesa boarder is one of Zambia's busiest boarders.
Chisunka said there has been little effort from the DRC side with regards to decongesting the boarder.
"We are concerned with the processing delays received from our members in Transport and Logistics regarding continued customs processing delays on the Congolese side of the Kasumba Lesa One-Stop Border Post. Kasumbalesa is one of Zambia's busiest borders with the DRC - allowing for the movement of bulk cargo, raw materials and various commodities between the two countries and linking to the wider SADC and COMESA regions, thus facilitating trade and commerce," said Chisunka.
"Whilst we appreciate the relentless efforts the ZRA has been making to decongest the border, we have not seen the same level of dedication and determination from the Congolese side. The main issue is that they have not been keeping to the laid down timetables. There are frequent reports of them opening late and closing early. Just today we got reports that the DRC side closed at 4 p.m. To add to this there are other impediments to trade which transporters complain of such as the imposition of excessive tolls and Covid tests which frustrate the movement of cargo."
Chisunka said the unnecessary delays create an artificial surge in costs for transporters, freight forwarders and everyone in the entire transport Chain.
"There were meetings held and resolutions made to the effect that at least a minimum of 600 trucks should be processed by customs authorities on either side on a daily basis to decongest the border post. We would like to appeal to our authorities in Zambia to diplomatically reach out to their counterparts in the DRC and ensure that all these issues are urgently addressed because they are having a negative impact on trade between the countries and hampering regional trade," he said.
"We must ensure that there is a hotline established to meticulously and urgently deal with all issues as they arise because they have repercussions for the social and economic development of our countries."
NDCCI president Paul Chisunka said Kasumbalesa boarder is one of Zambia's busiest boarders.
Chisunka said there has been little effort from the DRC side with regards to decongesting the boarder.
"We are concerned with the processing delays received from our members in Transport and Logistics regarding continued customs processing delays on the Congolese side of the Kasumba Lesa One-Stop Border Post. Kasumbalesa is one of Zambia's busiest borders with the DRC - allowing for the movement of bulk cargo, raw materials and various commodities between the two countries and linking to the wider SADC and COMESA regions, thus facilitating trade and commerce," said Chisunka.
"Whilst we appreciate the relentless efforts the ZRA has been making to decongest the border, we have not seen the same level of dedication and determination from the Congolese side. The main issue is that they have not been keeping to the laid down timetables. There are frequent reports of them opening late and closing early. Just today we got reports that the DRC side closed at 4 p.m. To add to this there are other impediments to trade which transporters complain of such as the imposition of excessive tolls and Covid tests which frustrate the movement of cargo."
Chisunka said the unnecessary delays create an artificial surge in costs for transporters, freight forwarders and everyone in the entire transport Chain.
"There were meetings held and resolutions made to the effect that at least a minimum of 600 trucks should be processed by customs authorities on either side on a daily basis to decongest the border post. We would like to appeal to our authorities in Zambia to diplomatically reach out to their counterparts in the DRC and ensure that all these issues are urgently addressed because they are having a negative impact on trade between the countries and hampering regional trade," he said.
"We must ensure that there is a hotline established to meticulously and urgently deal with all issues as they arise because they have repercussions for the social and economic development of our countries."