The governments of the Republic of Zambia, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have adopted the draft Trilateral Road Transport Agreement among the three countries.
According to a joint communique issued after a three days meeting held in Walvis Bay in Namibia, the three countries adopted the draft Trilateral Road Transport Agreement and agreed to sign the agreement in March 2016 in Congo DR.
The Road Transport Trilateral Agreement is aimed at strengthening road transport, road safety and trade facilitation among the three countries.
While Zambia and Namibia have a Bilateral Road Transport Agreement, neither countries have never signed any Road Transport Agreement with DRC to facilitate the smooth flow of cross border road transportation, control the operations of the Walvis Bay, Ndola, and Lubumbashi corridor.
This situation has made it difficult for the three countries to engage and find solutions to the challenges that the people face as they transit in the territories.
In the spirit of the good relations among the three countries and considering the provisions of the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology, the three countries are confident that the Road Transport Trilateral agreement will enhance road transport, road safety and trade facilitation among the member countries.
The Agreement once concluded will help to provide for effective transport services to consumers in the respective countries and ensure smooth movement of goods and passengers.
This is contained in a statement by the Road and Safety Agency (RTSA) Public Relations Unit Information Offficer Frederick Mubanga received by ZANIS in Lusaka, today.
During the meeting, the three countries also took into consideration that road safety should become an integral aspect of the Trilateral Road Transport Agreement in order to improve the profile of road safety among the three countries and prevent the loss of life and goods as a result of road crashes that are avoidable.
Zambia was represented by experts from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Justice, Department of Immigration and National Registration and the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).
IF THEY ALL AGREED WHY DIDN’T THEY SIGN IT OFF TO SERVE FURTHER COSTS? SURELY, DO THEY NEED ANOTHER CONFERENCE JUST TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT. OR IS IT ABOUT THE USUAL SITTING, TRAVEL, NIGHT, STRESS, MISSING FAMILY AND MANY MORE ALLOWANCES THAT GO WITH SUCH MEETINGS? AND IT SHOULD BE SIGNED IN A YOUNG DICTATOR’S COUNTRY!
We the people must know the contents of this deal! after reading this article one remain in the dark as nothing is said what the clauses stipulate ! Otherwise is the same gimmick as usual ! Signing it it in Drc is a vibrant hommage to a young leader who are developing a country while the Neo colonialists are busy looking for faults !
I CAN SENSE SOMETHING HERE IT APPEARS ZAMBIA IS JUST INCLUDED BUT THE DEAL IS BETWEEN NAMBIA & CONGOLE.THIS IS JUST FOR THEM TO HAVE EASY PASSAGE. WHAT WE SHOULD DO IS MAINTAIN & NOT TO INTERFIRE WITH TOLL GATES AND RDA MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO MAKE MORE MONIES NOT TO LOOSE.LETS MAKE DRY PORTS ON MAJOR ENTRIES EG MOKAMBO,KASUMBALESA,MODERNISE CHECKING SYSTEMS SO THAT WE CAB ILLEGAL IMPORTATION WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A WEAK KWACHA.
Theere is a very conspicuous absentee in this treaty. Angola A road or transport network that seems to serve DRC Namibia and Zambia cannot do so effectively without Angola.