EAC Transport ministers to meet over cargo delays – KBC

Transport Ministers from the East Africa Community Member States are expected to meet Tuesday to try and find a solution on cargo delays and other challenges being experienced by truck drivers at common border points.

The forum comes hours after a meeting between the Kenyan Principal Secretaries for East African Community and Transport and truckers flopped after both parties failed to reach a consensus.

Representatives of drivers operating in the great lake region who have been protesting in Malaba, Busia County have vowed to stay put until their security is granted by the government of Uganda.

The drivers lament that they have been suffering in the hands by armed soldiers from the neighbouring country.

Transport Principal Secretary Solomon Kitungu urged the more than five thousand drivers to open up the highway and those aggrieved to file official complaints with relevant authorities in both countries.

East African Community Principal Secretary Kevit Desai acknowledged that dealing with COVID-19 pandemic requires collaborated effort from EAC member states.

The EAC Transport ministers are expected to issue a joint statement on COVID-19 testing protocols to be adopted by all member states amid tensions caused by truck drivers protesting harassment and delayed results.