The Joint Steering Committee meeting held last week, led by NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute and Botswana Unified Revenue Service Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo, convened to discuss progress reports at Charleshill in Botswana.
This significant gathering was also attended by notable figures such as Road Fund Administration Chief Executive Officer Ali Ipinge and Fidelis Mwazi, head of the Namibian Agronomic Board, who both serve as committee members.
The committee evaluated advancements related to the infrastructure developments crucial for the launch of the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the Trans-Kalahari border.
As part of the OSBP launch preparations, many infrastructural projects at the Trans-Kalahari border have been completed successfully.
These include the development of a new commercial terminal, an office building, and bypass routes. Furthermore, the existing facility at the border post has been significantly upgraded to handle passengers entering Namibia from Botswana.
These advances are intended to improve the efficiency and efficacy of border operations, allowing for smoother and faster cross-border flows of persons and products.
On the Botswana side, at Mamuno, temporary portable structures have been installed to support the consolidated border procedures that involve agencies from both Botswana and Namibia.
These structures are a temporary measure to ensure that border operations continue smoothly while the existing building undergoes extensive renovations.
The plan is to develop this existing facility into an expanded permanent terminal within the next few months, providing a more robust infrastructure to handle the increased traffic and activities expected at the border.
Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo emphasized the need of constructing the permanent structure within the timeframe set.
She directed her staff to ensure that the enhanced facility would be operational within the following 12 months.
Her urge to action underlines the Botswana Unified Revenue Service’s dedication to meeting deadlines and delivering a cutting-edge border post that matches international standards.
Namibia Revenue Agency Commissioner Sam Shivute congratulated the project team for sticking to the deadline despite the customary problems that come with bi-national projects.
He emphasized the complexities of coordinating a project with various stakeholders and role actors from two distinct countries.
Commissioner Shivute praised the team’s skill, dedication, and effort in moving the project forward and keeping it on schedule to achieve the agreed-upon timeframes.
The meeting also underscored the collaborative efforts between Namibia and Botswana in enhancing their border infrastructure.
The Ministers responsible for Finance in both countries are expected to agree on a launch date for the OSBP.
Additionally, they will appoint the host for the launch event, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations.
The OSBP is a strategic effort that aims to expedite border operations by combining diverse border clearing tasks, including as customs, immigration, and other regulatory checks, into a single place.
This method seeks to reduce the time and cost of border crossings, so encouraging commercial and economic integration between Namibia and Botswana.
The effort is expected to enhance regional trade and cooperation, thereby benefiting both countries’ economic development.
The progress made so far in infrastructure improvements at the Trans-Kalahari frontier and Mamuno demonstrates Namibia and Botswana’s commitment to improving border operations.
The effective completion of the OSBP would not only allow for smoother cross-border travel, but it will also boost the two countries’ economic relations.
As the project progresses, the collaboration and devotion of all stakeholders will be critical to ensuring its success and sustainability.
