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Inside efforts to alleviate congestion at Tunduma-Nakonde One Stop Border Post
Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) Songwe regional Manager, Mr Suleiman Bishanga, inspects the smart parking lot for trucks that is currently under construction in the Mpemba area in Tunduma Township. PHOTO | GADIOSA LAMTEY
What you need to know:
- Despite the establishment of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in October 2019, truckers ferrying goods have continued to face substantial waiting times, primarily due to congestion caused by inefficiencies in border operations and limited infrastructure
Songwe. The Tanzanian government has taken steps to address long-standing congestion and delays at the Tunduma border to ensure smooth flow of trucks to Zambia and beyond.
Despite the establishment of the Tunduma-Nakonde One Stop Border Post (OSBP) in October 2019, truckers ferrying goods have continued to face substantial waiting times on the Tanzanian side, primarily due to congestion caused by inefficiencies in border operations and limited infrastructure.
However, recent developments signal a renewed commitment from the Tanzanian government, particularly through investments in transport infrastructure aimed at alleviating the bottlenecks that have plagued Tunduma for years.
One of the key interventions is the improvement of the infrastructure surrounding Mpemba weighbridge near Tunduma, spearheaded by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads).
According to the Tanroads Songwe Regional Manager, Suleiman Bishanga, traffic volumes cleared at the Mpemba weighbridge have surged from 1,600 trucks per day to 3,000 since the government increased its investment in transport.
Bishanga pointed out that the weighbridge itself is not a major bottleneck, as it is capable of processing up to 60 trucks per hour.
However, the rapid increase in traffic created new challenges in managing the congestion due to the narrow roads and lack of adequate parking space.
In response to the growing strain, Tanroads is developing a new turn-up area at Tunduma, which is now 98 percent complete and would cost approximately Sh1 billion.
Additionally, a smart parking area capable of accommodating up to 5,000 trucks is under construction.
“These projects will significantly reduce congestion,” Mr Bishanga noted.
Furthermore, he said, Tanroads is planning the construction of bypass roads that will divert trucks away from the heavily congested Tanzania-Zambia main road, providing an alternative route for trucks bound for Zambia and other countries.
A new roundabout on the Sumbawanga road will also aid traffic flow, allowing for better management of trucks while handling permits, Mr Bishanga said.
The Tanzanian government is also engaging Zambian authorities to try and resolve inefficiencies on the Zambian side of the OSBP.
Truck drivers and industry leaders have cited the slow cargo clearing process at Nakonde on the Zambian side as the biggest contributing factor for congestion at Tunduma.
The chairperson of the Tanzania Truck Drivers Association, Seif Sakoro, has raised concerns over the limited operation hours of the scanner at Nakonde, noting that it functions for only 12 hours a day instead of the expected 24 hours.
This limitation results in long waiting times, with some drivers reporting delays of up to six days.
"We urge the government to intervene, as this is the main cause of traffic congestion at the Tunduma border," Sakoro told The Citizen in a recent interview.
The Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Exaud Kigahe, acknowledged that discussions were ongoing between Tanzanian and Zambian officials.
He said that while problems persist, it was important to continue dialogue between the two nations to find long-term solutions for cross-border trade.
"We have had several meetings, and while the challenge persists, the important thing is how we address it for the benefit of businesspeople," he said.
Kigahe also pointed to long-term projects, such as the construction of the Karema Port, which will serve as a major transport hub for cargo travelling to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The port is expected to alleviate pressure on the Tunduma border and improve trade efficiency.
Truckers said they also hope that the diplomatic engagement between Tanzania and Zambia would address concerns over permits.
The chairman of the Southern Highland Drivers Association, Nuhu Mgodoka, criticised the Zambian authorities' requirement that truckers must obtain the necessary entry permits on the Tanzanian side.
This, he argued, undermines the spirit of the One-Stop Border Post agreement and leads to unnecessary delays.
"We have had multiple meetings with authorities from both countries, but there has been no tangible implementation. The situation on the Zambian side remains a challenge," Mgodoka said, urging the government to provide further support to ease the congestion.
The delays are also having a ripple effect on local vendors in the area.
A food vendor at Mpemba, Neema Mwakyusa, narrated how the narrow roads leading up to the weighbridge cause frequent accidents, which further contribute to traffic delays.
"Along with customs challenges, the government should widen the road to allow these vehicles to pass without being stopped. There are areas where frequent accidents occur, causing police to stop traffic and delaying drivers for up to three hours," she explained.
