State moves to boost Kenya-S Sudan trade with construction of one-stop border post at Nadapal

The Government will construct a one-stop border post (OSBP) at Nadapal, along the Kenya-South Sudan border. The OSBP will help in cross border management system, opening up trade and movement of goods between Kenya and South Sudan.

The border post along the South Sudan link road is also expected to open up various business opportunities between the two countries and change the image of the once perceived ‘road of terror.’

In procurement notice in the local dailies, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) said the consultancy services for the design of the OSBP will include technical assistance for the harmonisation of customs and other border management, risk management and control procedures and implementation of integrated border management system.

Others will include certification of export products, simplification of import and export processes and the identification and designing potential sites for export processing zones, storage facilities and rest shops.

KeNHA said the border post will follow the ongoing rehabilitation of the key link road from Kitale to South Sudan through Nadapal. “The project which will be in the second phase of programme will be allocated part of the $500 million (about Sh48 billion) under the Eastern Africa Regional Transport and Trade Facilitation Project,” said the road agency.

Key works to be included under this programme will include upgrading of 88km of the Kalobeyei River–Nadapal-Nakodok section of the Eldoret–Nadapal-Nakodok road, 80km upgrading of the Lokitaung junction–Kaloboyei River section.

Others will include the upgrading of 80km of the Lokitaung Junction–Lodwar section, 50km of the Lodwar–Loichangamatak and construction of a bridge at Kainuk on Muruni River.

The road project will start from Lesseru and transverse through Kitale, Marich Pass, Lodwar and Lokichogio ending at Nadapal border covering 605km.  Kocks Consult from Germany is covering the first section of the Lesseru-Kitale-Marich Pass while Egis BCEOM (France) is handling the Marich Pass toLodwar section. Sheladia Associates Inc (USA) has concluded assessment report on the section between Lodwar, Lokichoggio and Nadapal.