Namibia has become the first SADC country to implement the Container Control Programme (CCP), used in the prevention of drug trafficking and other illicit cross-border activities.
The programme which was launched here on Friday is a joint initiative delivered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) with a mission to assist countries in enhancing border and trade supply chain security, while facilitating legitimate trade.
Deputy Minister of Finance Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said the programme is a milestone in the implementation of the Customs Modernisation Programme and strengthening compliance with trade facilitation requirements at Namibia’s ports of entry.
“This unit will afford us as a country an opportunity to reform and secure not only our trading environment, but also our entire trade facilitation spectrum. It is a known fact that the southern Africa region is beset with the challenges that impact on the pace of movement of cargo, which ultimately affects intra-regional trade levels,” she noted.
Hinda-Mbuende emphasised the importance for law enforcement agencies to fully take advantage of the modernisation programmes and make substantive inputs that seek to interdict the illegal trade of goods within the trading spectrum.
“It is only when that happens that the true impact of these instruments and frameworks can deliver meaningful and sustainable long-term benefits for Namibia,” she said.
European Union Ambassador Sinikka Antila said the initiative demonstrates Namibia’s leadership and commitment in becoming a logistics hub in southern Africa.
“Due to its geographical position and richness in biodiversity, Namibia is a key player in the fight against this transportation organised crime particularly related to wildlife and forest products,” Antila stressed.
The pre-operation phase of the CCP unit has already managed to among others; record uncertified medicine valued over N.dollars 2 million which was detained and seized as well as intercept 152 containers of timber which are still under investigation.
The Port Control Unit which runs the administration of the programme will be located at the Port of Walvis Bay and will be jointly administered by officials from NamRA, Namport, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Namibian Police Force.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
