Nakonde, July 24, 2023, ZANIS—Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) in partnership with Common Market for Southern Africa (COMESA) has delivered various rapid testing equipment to border agencies in Nakonde District in Muchinga Province.
The rapid testing equipment that includes solar fridges, iodine test kits, fuel testing kits and portable labs among others will also be delivered to Chirundu and Mwami One-Stop Border Posts.
MCTI through the Zambia Border Post Upgrading Project (ZBPUP) is implementing various activities under the 11th COMESA European Development Fund Trade Facilitation Programmes.
MCTI Senior Internal Auditor Richard Chanda says the testing kits were bought at a cost of €227, 526 under ZBPUP and are meant to enhance operations at the border.
Mr Chanda was speaking when he officially handed over the equipment to the Ministry of Health-Port Health and Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) at Nakonde One Stop Border Post.
“This equipment will help in the efficiency of trade. The flow of trade should not be hindered. There should be no time lag in the flow of goods and services coming through the border,” Mr Chanda said.
Mr Chanda added that the coming of the testing equipment will also curb the challenge of sending the samples to provincial centres and allow quick response to issuers of concern as testing and diagnosis will be done at the border.
He further urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment well and safeguard it properly if operations are to be eased.
“We would like to hand over this equipment and we are hoping they will be used for the intended purpose, with care so that goods and services that come in are tested on-site,” he said.
And Acting District Health Director Aggrey Ng’ambi thanked the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry for the equipment stating that it will bridge the gap of sending samples outside the district.
“We are very happy that we have received this equipment. This equipment is a stand in the gap. Previously we used to send our samples to distant places in the process we were delaying our clients,” Mr Ng’ambi said.
