An improved transport network system for Namibia and the rest of Africa is key in contributing to African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA’s) Agenda 2063 goal of a single market for goods and services.
According to works and transport minister, John Mutorwa, the significance of the AfCFTA cannot be overstated as it is the world’s largest new free trade area since the establishment of the World Trade Organisation in 1994.
Mutorwa made these remarks in a speech delivered on his behalf on Tuesday at Swakopmund during the launch of the 13th Joint Law Enforcement Operation conducted by the Trans-Kalahari Corridor Management Commitee (TKCMC) comprised of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.
‘Transport is the backbone of any economy and ministries that are responsible for transport are technically able to achieve governmental, regional, continental and global objectives, as they are tasked with the responsibility to oversee all four transport modes, namely aviation, maritime, road and rail,’ he expressed.
He
added that due to the fact that people and cargo move across borders, a number of transport bilateral and multilateral agreements have also been developed and entered into by different countries, including the TKCMC, SACU agreement on Transport, among others.
The TKCMC initiative was established in order to ensure that only legal goods, people and services are allowed to move through the corridors.
Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, stressed the need to ensure safety and security along the corridor and not a free haven for criminals.
‘Looking at the 13th Joint Law Program, a clear message has been sent that no illegal activities will be allowed on the corridor.
In line with our mandate, we will do our part to ensure that security is maintained on our corridor. This also means that the Namibian Police Force is responsible to secure movements of our goods and services on the corridors,’ he added.
Executive Director of Kalahari Corridor Secretariat,
Leslie Mpofu, noted the need to view the various development corridor initiatives against the backdrop of a number of socio-economic imperatives that are facing the region.
‘These include the need to increase the rate of economic growth in the region, the need to develop the regional economy in a manner that would render it far more diversified, stronger and internationally competitive.’
Source: The Namibian Press Agency