Construction of the One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Trans-Kalahari-Mamuno is nearing completion, with the project team targeting a launch by the end of this month.
The Joint Steering Committee meeting held on Thursday led by the NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute and Botswana Unified Revenue Service Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo considered progress reports at Charleshill in Botswana.
The meeting was also attended by Road Fund Administration Chief Executive Officer Ali Ipinge and Fidelis Mwazi who heads the Namibian Agronomic Board, who also serve as members of the Joint Steering Committee.
As part of infrastructure developments made as part of the launch preparations, a new commercial terminal, office block and bypass roads have been constructed at Trans-Kalahari, while the existing building has been upgraded to cater for the passengers entering Namibia from Botswana.
On the Mamuno side, portable structures have been erected to facilitate the consolidated border procedure involving border agencies from Botswana and Namibia.
The existing building will be developed into an expanded permanent terminal in the coming months.
Botswana Unified Revenue Service Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo called on her team to ensure that the improved permanent structure would be in place and ready for operation within the next 12 months.
On his part, Namibia Revenue Agency Commissioner Sam Shivute commended the project team for being on course to deliver within the agreed time, based on the latest extension.
He stressed that a bi-national project of that kind involved many role players and stakeholders, thus pulling it off required great skill, dedication and effort.
The Namibia and Botswana Ministers responsible for Finance are expected to agree on the launch date, coupled with appointing the host of the launch event.
The OSBP is a strategic initiative aimed at streamlining border operations, by consolidating border clearance activities, such as customs, immigration and other regulatory checks, into a single location.
