KPA steps up cargo clearance following Uhuru’s directive
The Kenya Ports Authority’s container terminal. FILE
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has increased its container off-take from the previous 1,200 daily to an average of 1,700 following stringent measures to effect President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive.
The KPA head of corporate affairs Bernard Osero told the Business Daily this is due to free flow of traffic in-and-out of the port after improvement of truck re-routing through Changamwe roundabout.
“Re-routing of trucks heading to and from the port by the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has drastically reduced congestion to the port’s Kipevu gate,” he said.
The new verification schedule at 9.30 am, 12.00 noon and 4pm has also accelerated documentation at the container terminal.
On the handling of transshipment cargo, he said the port had made available space at Berth 19 for the roll-in-and-roll-out (RORO) to shippers.
But some port users are still not happy with unexplained delays that hold trucks for two to three hours before loading.
Although Mr Kenyatta had ordered for removal of roadblocks and reduction of weighbridges along the Mombasa-Malaba highway, transporters said their trucks were still being subjected to police checks and weighing.
“From the government agencies at the port to police and weighbridge along the road, we are yet to experience a faster movement of cargo especially the transit one,” one truck driver said and asked not to be named.
However, Suem Enterprise Limited director Sylvester Oduor said at least there was some improvement following the presidential directive for government agencies to work under KPA managing director.
“By giving trucks six hours to present themselves for loading at designated off-take points has drastically streamlined port operations,” he said.
Heavy Commercial Workers’ Union chairman Mohamed Bahero welcomed the measures taken by the traffic police and KPA but called for follow-ups to deal with those flouting the procedures.
To ease congestion in-and-out of the port, he said traffic police should be stationed in strategic sections of the road prone to jams during the rush hours of morning and evening.
“Mariakani is still experiencing traffic snarl-ups because it is too close to Mombasa from where trucks, buses and private vehicles leave almost at the same time,” he said.
According to Mr Osero, KPA has started data collection at Gate 18 to enable it track down how long trucks take from Mombasa to Malaba.
On demurrage costs caused by the Rift Valley Railways’ delays, he said the authority has communicated to shipping lines about charging RVR where applicable.
“In fact, we have asked all banks working within the port to work 24/7 and support the operations,” he added.
