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Government has called for the harmonization of road transport regulations between Zambia and Tanzania as it is posing as a serious challenge to conducting trade between the two countries.
Transport and Logistics Minister, Frank Tayali, made the call during the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) stakeholder’s engagement Forum in Lusaka on Wednesday.
Tayali said the transport businesses are faced with several challenges at the Port and along the Dar-es-Salam Corridor due to, among others, non-harmonization of road transport regulations.
He said the Axle Load Control Act of 2016, which imposed lower tonnages on super single tires reduced the carrying capacities and volumes of trucks and tankers.
“This reduction increases the cost of doing business which leads to the Dar es Salaam Route being expensive for Zambian Transporters,” Tayali said.
He said the vehicle dimensions for some of the Zambian trucks and tankers despite being in conformity with the Standards in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region are not compliant with the Tanzania Laws and Regulations.
Tayali said in Zambia, the permissible vehicle overall length for Rigid Vehicles is 13.5m while in Tanzania it is 12.5m, for Articulated vehicles in Zambia is 18.5 meters while in Tanzania it is 17meters.
“Therefore, a Zambian Rigid or Articulated Vehicle fully complied to Zambian and SADC Regulations cannot operate in Tanzania without an abnormal permit at a fee per single entry,” he said.
Tayali said Zambia remains committed and ready to corporate with its Tanzanian counterpart in resolving all the challenges affecting the business community for both countries.
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He said Wednesday’s engagement meeting in Lusaka will therefore help to showcase developments undertaken at the Port of Dar es Salam and along the corridor and also facilitate business networking and synergies between the public and private sectors of both countries.
Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Zambia Lieutenant General, Mathew Edward Mkingule, said the two governments will continue to work together in order to achieve the smooth flow of goods among the country.
Tanzania Ports Authority Director Marketing and Public Relations, George Pasha, noted that the stakeholders meeting will allow the two countries to share ideas that will enhance trade.
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