Out Association offers an appropriate framework for exchange of information and ideas among members and to create an enabling environment whereby member can interface with one another in the port, transport and trade spaces. Read More about “About”…
Port Management Association of
Eastern & Southern Africa
Eastern & Southern Africa
PMAESA Hosts Anti Corruption in Ports Workshop
March 19, 2019
Participants during a photo session at the Anti Corruption Workshop held 19 March 2019 at the Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel
The Port Management Association of Eastern & Southern Africa (PMAESA) Secretariat convened a technical workshop on 19 March 2019 at the Nyali Sun Africa Beach Hotel, Mombasa. The event was held jointly with the World Bank Group
under the theme “Risks of Corruption and Anti-Corruption Strategies in Ports – Governance Towards Transparency & Accountability in Achieving Efficiency In Ports.”
Speaking during the opening ceremony, PMAESA Secretary General said “Corruption is one of the main obstacles to development. Coupled with a lack of transparency in public revenues and spending it undermines poverty alleviation efforts and democratic participation. Therefore it is contingent upon all stakeholders, from development partners, government agencies to the private sector to be involved in the fight against corruption.”
Speaking on behalf of the Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Dr. Daniel Manduku, Head Of Corporate Affairs, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Mr Bernard Osero stated that rooting out corruption is a time-consuming and expensive exercise and that all actors in the transport and logistics value chain must be involved in the process. “Early intervention by all involved will reap huge benefits in the future – regardless of magnitude of the intervention,” he added.
The workshop enabled participants to discuss the effects of corruption in port authorities, its detrimental effect on port efficiency, operations and port project financing. Presenters at the event also discussed measured in place at the national legislative and organizational level to counter the malpractice, encouraging transparency in governance and protecting whistle-blowers and protecting the work of integrity officers.
Mr Yaya Yedan from the Word Bank Africa Transport Policy Program (SSATP) lauded the execution of the event saying that it enabled port authorities and other key stakeholders to be candid about their experiences toward curbing corruption in ports. Mr Yedan further invited the PMAESA Secretariat to conduct follow up sessions with its members to monitor the status of progress in the implementation of the proposed measures and assess how well these measures have aided combat anti-corruption practices.
Participants were impressed upon the need to streamline specific aspects of port business by implementing holistic ICT platforms, in particular the clearing of import and export cargo. This would help reduce the number of clearance procedures to allow shippers move their cargoes in a timely cost-effective manner and further lower the cost of doing business.
Participants to the event included Port Authority representatives from Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa and Sudan. Development partners (TradeMark East Africa), Government agencies such as KENTRADE, Corridor management institutions (TTCANC and ISCOS) and private sector representatives (KSAA and KNCCI) were also present.