RTFP

OSBP: South Africa-Mozambique

The border post at Lebombo – Ressano Garcia is the second busiest crossing in the region and joint clearing of rail cargo at Komatipoort was trialled as long ago as 2000. The Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative (MCLI) comprising of public and private sector investors, service providers and users has prioritised implementation of an OSBP. They note that: “…joint processing at border posts or at ports will not only benefit certain corridors but all corridors traversing those countries.” A Bilateral Agreement between the two countries was signed in September 2007 which provides the framework of operations for the OSBP.

RTFP is providing technical and financial assistance to enable the development of a legal framework (including its annexes) and a comprehensive manual of operational procedures and institutional arrangements for the OSBP.

In South Africa, work for establishing the LRG OSBP is being coordinated by the South Africa Revenue Services (SARS), in its capacity as the Chair of the Border Control Operations Coordinating Committee (BCOCC), while in Mozambique this function is performed by the Alfandegas (Customs Dept.).

A management structure has been established comprising a Management Authority responsible for overall project direction, policy and decision making. This Authority will supervise eight Working Groups or committees (composed of senior technical experts from each field drawn from relevant institutions from both countries) which will be responsible for undertaking all the technical work to develop the legal provisions, procedures, physical facilities and other instruments necessary for the efficient and effective operation of an OSBP. At present only the Legal Drafting Working Group has been constituted but the terms of reference for the Management Authority and its Working Groups have now been translated into Portuguese for the benefit of Mozambique and both countries are in the process of appointing their representatives to the Working Groups. The project is coordinated by a Project Manager (employed by the BCOCC but funded by SARS) who has been in his position since February 2008.

For RTFP, Project implementation started in April 2007 after two short-term technical experts (who are available on demand on a regular basis) were hired to provide hands-on technical guidance.

Work to design the infrastructure facilities has been on-going under the supervision of the South African Department of Public Works The RTFP-funded experts are working closely with DPW and the architects hired by the Department to put together the designs. The architects will continue to be involved after the design phase and will be responsible for supervision of the feasibility studies and the construction work.

The Government of South Africa has pledge R600 million for the design and construction of a new commercial terminal which will be located on Mozambican territory about 4 km from the existing border post; renovation of existing border facilities (which will eventually become the passenger terminal); construction of a fenced-off access road between the existing border post and the proposed terminal as well as renovations of railway passenger facilities at the border.

It is anticipated that construction work will be completed around April 2010, in time for the official launch of the OSBP – shortly before the 2010 World Cup.