One Stop Border Post operations hampered by shortage of staff

Operations at the Chirundu One Stop Border Post are being hampered by shortage of staff accommodation and provision of other basic services, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion heard last Friday.

The One Stop Border Post was commissioned in 2009 by President Mugabe and former Zambian president Rupiah Banda.

Tichaona Phiri, Chirundu Border Post station manager, said lack of adequate resources was making it difficult for them to operate effectively as envisaged under the One Stop Border Post concept.

Phiri said clearing agents were also facing shortage of office space and were using outdated information communication systems that were slowing down work.

"Clearing agents do not have adequate office space and are also using systems that are not compatible with ours and break down easily.

Because of that they end up working during the night, slowing down work resulting in some trucks spending two to three days before being cleared," Phiri said.

Phiri said they did not have a generator at the border post and encountered problems whenever there was a power cut.

He added there was no hospital at the border post with a small clinic with obsolete equipment catering for employees, community and the travelling public.

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