Non-Tariff Barriers :: Complaints

Complaint

Complaint number

NTB-000-513

NTB Type

1.14. Lack of coordination between government institutions

Complaint

Zambian Ministry of Public Works has different operating hours compared to other border agents. On the 19th of April I got to the border at 6:30pm was cleared by both Immigration and Customs but was told that I would have to return to the border the next day because the Public Works officer had already left and I could not continue my trip without pay the toll fee.
When I enquired about this officer's working hours I was told that he left between 4 and 5pm but the border only closes at 10 pm (if memory serves me right).

Status note

At the Tripartite NTBs Online Reporting, Monitoring and Eliminating Mechanism Meeting to Launch the SMS Reporting Tool held from 9-10 April 2013 in Lusaka, Zambia, Zambia reported that the differences in the working hours for the different agencies had been brought to their attention and that all border agencies operate at the same operating hours.

Progress update note

On 9 July 2012, Zambia focal point responded to say that, it must be noted that the institution that collects toll fees in Zambia is the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and not the Ministry of Public works.

With regards to lack of coordination among government institutions at the border,Zambia have found out that the operating times for the border agencies at the said border post may sometimes differ from institution to institution. Generally, the core borders agencies such as Customs and Immigration will always be at the border for the entire period that the border is opened. However, the other agencies depending on their nature of work and resources may not be there during the whole period that the border is open. Looking at the time (6:30 pm) that the complainant was cleared by Customs, the person responsible for collecting toll fees might have already left between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

These differences in the working hours for the different agencies have already been brought to their attention and efforts are being made to harmonise the operating hours. Time and resources permitting the working hours will be harmonised soon.

Policy or regulatory NTB

Location

Zambia: Livingstone (Border post)

Reporting Country or Region

Mozambique

Country specific trade issue

Date of incident

2012-04-19

Status

Resolved

Date of resolution

2013-04-10

Product Description

All products

Computer-assisted translation

Total value

Date reported

2012-06-14 10:15

Modified

2013-04-16 09:44