Freighters unveil new code of conduct to fight corruption

By Luke Anami

 

Cargo transporters and freight forwarders within East Africa have launched a code of conduct that will help regulate the industry and reduce corruption at border points.

 

The freighters, under the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations (FEAFFA), yesterday unveiled a simplified code of conduct aimed at entrenching integrity among clearing and forwarding professionals in the region.

 

There are about 3,000 freight and logistics forms in the East Africa Community (EAC) with thousands of employees. But they have been singled out by various players are unprofessional and corrupt tendencies, a perception FEAFFA is out to correct.

 

 “An important part of this code of conduct is to raise awareness within the freight forwarding industry, the public sector and the general public of the need for professional behaviour while at work,” John Mathenge, Regional Executive Officer, FEAFFA said during the launch held yesterday at Malaba border post in Uganda.

 

“This will help the industry eliminate corruption as those found engaging in it will be deregistered.”

EAC member countries are seeking to professionalise the freight and logistics industry considering that 50 per cent of the cost component of most goods is made up of transport costs within the region.

 

The FEAFFA code of conduct highlights the ethical standards expected of all operators in the region.

“The EAC Common Market protocol that allows free movement of goods and persons in the region, necessitates a strict code of conduct in the freight industry to reduce incidences of corruption,” he said.

 

“Our code of conduct will help promote trusted partnership with Government agencies and other stakeholders,” Jennifer Mwijikye, a representative of the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association (UFFA) said during the launch held at Port Spring Villa at Malaba in Uganda.

 

She said its strict enforcement will help the industry shed its image, which in the past has been maligned by Government agencies as promoting corruption.

 

Aimed at helping the body of freighters into becoming a self-sustaining regional business association, the development of code of conduct was funded by the USAID to the tune of Sh22 million.

 

Under the programme, FEAFFA has already trained over 1,500 freight and logistics clearing and forwarding agents who have earned the East Africa Customs Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC). The target is train 5,000 agents by 2013.

 

The key stakeholders that work with freighters include all the regional revenue authorities in the EAC, the EAC secretariat, port authorities, maritime authorities, Corridor Transit Associations in the region, cargo owners, manufacturers, and the East African Business Council.