World Bank boss tours Malaba border
Aug 15, 2009
The World Bank president, Robert Zoellick, on Thursday inspected the $5m (about sh10b) proposed site for the one-stop border post at Malaba on the Uganda-Kenya border.
by Daniel Edyegu and Moses Nampala
THE World Bank president, Robert Zoellick, on Thursday inspected the $5m (about sh10b) proposed site for the one-stop border post at Malaba on the Uganda-Kenya border.
The envoy, flanked by finance minister Syda Bummba, agricultuture state minister Hope Mwesigye and the World Bank East African regional officials, was received at Malaba customs yard by works minister John Nasasira.
The one-stop border post is an arrangement where customs officials from all the East African member states will jointly carry out the clearance of cargo.
Cargo from Mombasa, destined to member states, will be cleared by Malaba customs, Uganda, while cargo from Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda will be cleared by the Kenyan customs.
The World Bank is to contribute $4m (about sh8b), while Uganda and Kenya will raise $1m (about sh2b), according to Moses Odong of the works ministry.
Zoellick, who arrived aboard a UN chopper, said the development would boost the economies of the member states as clearance of goods and services from the sea port would be faster.
The construction of the centre is aimed at enhancing the information, communication and technology system among EAC members.
Nasasira said Busia, Mutukula and Katuna borders would also be reconstructed.
Uganda railway line is now very old and needs urgent reconstruction, Nasasira added.
Malaba border handles 53% of all the freight destined to Uganda.
The cargo that goes through Malaba was valued at $2.45b (sh400b) in 2008, according to the the statistics of the Uganda Revenue Authority.
THE World Bank president, Robert Zoellick, on Thursday inspected the $5m (about sh10b) proposed site for the one-stop border post at Malaba on the Uganda-Kenya border.
The envoy, flanked by finance minister Syda Bummba, agricultuture state minister Hope Mwesigye and the World Bank East African regional officials, was received at Malaba customs yard by works minister John Nasasira.
The one-stop border post is an arrangement where customs officials from all the East African member states will jointly carry out the clearance of cargo.
Cargo from Mombasa, destined to member states, will be cleared by Malaba customs, Uganda, while cargo from Sudan, Rwanda and Uganda will be cleared by the Kenyan customs.
The World Bank is to contribute $4m (about sh8b), while Uganda and Kenya will raise $1m (about sh2b), according to Moses Odong of the works ministry.
Zoellick, who arrived aboard a UN chopper, said the development would boost the economies of the member states as clearance of goods and services from the sea port would be faster.
The construction of the centre is aimed at enhancing the information, communication and technology system among EAC members.
Nasasira said Busia, Mutukula and Katuna borders would also be reconstructed.
Uganda railway line is now very old and needs urgent reconstruction, Nasasira added.
Malaba border handles 53% of all the freight destined to Uganda.
The cargo that goes through Malaba was valued at $2.45b (sh400b) in 2008, according to the the statistics of the Uganda Revenue Authority.