Traders hail Dedza Border Post improved efficiency

Cross-border traders and travellers that use the newly opened Dedza One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) say there is improved efficiency and security when transacting business.

Dedza OSBP, whose construction finished in 2022, is the second inter-government project where Malawi has completed its side of the project after the Mchinji-Mwami OSBP.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, one of the truck drivers, Happy Kagolo, who works for Humphrey Murry Transport, said the border post has boosted cross-border trade and improved service delivery.

He said: “I have been using this border post for over 10 years now, but the operationalisation of the one-stop-border-post has improved how officers from different departments are discharging their duties.

“Trucks are cleared within a day unlike previously. With the coming of law enforcement agencies, the border has improved security because previously vehicles were not safe as thieves infiltrated the place.”

Kagolo, who was on his way to Beira in Mozambique to deliver tobacco, said he expects no duplication of work once the one-stop-border is operational on the Mozambican side.

On his part, Andrew Bashir, a cross-border trader, said the p roject has brought efficient cross-border movement of people and goods.

He said: “We are coming from South Africa and our bus has 70 people on board, but within two hours all of us have been cleared together with our goods.

“Previously, we could spend nights here before being assisted.”

Malawi Revenue Authority head of corporate affairs Steven Kapoloma said they are waiting for the Mozambican side to construct a similar structure.

He said: “This arrangement will reduce most problems which were being faced by traders when entering and leaving the country.

“So far, Malawi has constructed two one-stop border posts at Mchinji and Dedza.”

During the launch of the Mchinji-Mwami OSBP, President Lazarus Chakwera hailed the project, saying it will reduce border delays substantially by slashing the time it takes to cross the borders by almost 70 percent, which in turn means a reduction in transit costs.

“It promotes coordination in the facilitation of trade, the movement of persons and the improvement of security and it accords dignity to our peoples in the quality of public services delivered to them as they move between our two countries,” he said.

The One-Stop Border Post is among key modernisation initiatives whose objective is to reduce time for processing of imports and exports by bringing together all processing agents in one building or location.

The Dedza OSBP is an inter -governmental project implemented by partners which uses harmonised legal and institutional framework, facilities and associated coordinated procedures. n