The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Commissioner General Dingani Banda says the Authority has engaged the Government for support in order to modernise border infrastructure at Sakania Border Post.
Speaking when he toured the border, Mr. Banda said once Sakania border infrastructure is improved, the border will ease and boost trade between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He said this will also help ease traffic congestion challenges that are normally faced at Kasumbalesa border post.
Mr. Banda said the border facility has potential to reduce transit costs incurred in cross-border movement because truck drivers will have the option of using Sakania instead of driving to Kasumbalesa.
“This will boost revenue collections. The border will also address all key challenges that have been thwarting trade between the two nations. It will encourage people to do the cross-border trade”, Mr. Banda said.
Mr. Banda also added that the Authority will engage other government agencies to establish their presence at the border in order for the two countries to work as one team, something that makes them exchange their experiences, which will improve day-to-day operations at the border.
The Commissioner General also explained that improving services at the border will increase transport business for cargo from the Southern African region to DRC and other neighbouring countries.
Mr. Banda also led ZRA Senior Members of Management on a tour of the Sakania border post on the DRC side in order to appreciate how the neighbouring country is modernising its infrastructure.
With the changing face of cross border trade, ZRA Commissioner Generalsaid the Authority will expedite the need to double the human resource at Sakania and Kasumbalesa border posts, respectively.
The Commissioner General and his entourage visited the Copperbelt region in order to join a team led by Senior Government officials for a meeting with DRC officials to resolve the traffic congestion at Kasumbalesa border post.
