“It is now my pleasure to declare the FEAFFA code of conduct officially launched” Declared the Hon. Prof. Hellen Sambili as she brought to life the much awaited Regional code of conduct for the freight forwarders in East Africa. The more than 150 guests at the event waited with great delight to the moment from which the code of conduct would be launched for them to have copies of the document that had brought them under one roof. In a smartly FEAFFA branded hall filled to capacity at the Nairobi’s prestigious Sankara hotel, all that one could see was green and orange to show FEAFFA’s identity with screens allover showing images of the freight logistics industry.
Speaker after speaker, they all congratulated FEAFFA and the entire logistics industry upon the development and eventual launch of the code of conduct. They all expressed great optimism that the code of conduct would go a long way in ensuring professionalism in the previously dented freight logistics industry. “Not so long ago, I personally thought clearing agents were very dangerous people” joked one of the speakers who could not hide her delight to the fact that the industry had since organized itself towards a professionally ran industry declaring that as history.
The Guest speaker, Hon. Prof. Hellen Sambili - Kenya’s EAC Cooperation Minister hinted that an efficient and reliable transport system was a prerequisite for the development of East African community region and challenged freight forwarders to play their role in lowering the high logistics costs. She added that many efforts were underway at regional level to address the situation through enhancing regional interconnections like construction of missing links, rehabilitation of existing networks, developing common pavement standards among others. “A regional transport strategy for the next 15 years has been developed” said the Hon. Minister.
The Hon. Prof. Hellen Sambili lauded FEAFFA’s efforts towards professionalism and sound business operations as a step towards self regulation and called on all the operators to observe the code of conduct and truly live it. She said the region was now expectant of a noticeable change that would follow the launch of the code of conduct.
The minister appreciated USAID COMPETE support and appealed to all other development partners for continued support towards successful implementation of the code of conduct. “A lot is still needed to see the code transform the sector.” Stressed the Hon. Minister.
Others who spoke at the event were the FEAFFA President Mr. John Bosco Rusagara, The Assistant Director – Preventive Services, Kenya Anti Corruption commission Prof Jane K. Onsongo, The Director of Customs at the EAC secretariat, The Commissioner Customs - KRA, The Vice Chairperson of East African Business Council and The USAID East Africa Mission Director Mr. Larry Meserve.
The event was funded by USAID COMPETE and the cocktail was co sponsored by SDV Transami and Utegi Technical Enterprises from Tanzania. Participants included freight forwarders from all the five national freight forwarders associations led by their executive boards, ports authorities, government officials, shippers among others.
