Namibia is currently investigating the origins of 152 containers of timber which were intercepted at the Port of Walvis Bay by the recently established Port Control Unit.
In 2017, an estimated 250 to 300 containers of raw timber (logs) left the port of Walvis Bay for China every month, with most of the logs harvested in South-Eastern Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), countries that have banned the export of raw logs.
“The Unit in its pre- operation phase has issued penalties for non-declaration issued and subsequently paid; uncertified medicine valued at N$2,4 million was seized and detained, while 152 containers with timber were intercepted and are still under investigation,” Deputy Finance minister, Maureen Hinda-Mbuende said during the launch of the program.
“This is indeed a clear demonstration that the role of the Law Enforcement Agencies in combating illicit and illegal trade across the globe has become so important in our lifetime and could not be overemphasized,” the Deputy minister said.
The program which is being provided funding to the tune of N$11.3 million by the US government, is an initiative which the UN’s Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will implement with the Walvis Bay Port authorities, with the aim of improving the port’s ability to interdict illegally smuggled goods, including wildlife and forest products.
“Fighting global illegal trade networks and protecting Namibia’s wildlife are key goals of the U.S. Embassy’s diplomatic engagement with Namibia. This initiative is a blow to criminals who would try to use Walvis Bay as a smuggling route. Another advantage of the Container Control Program is that it will make for a safer port, which will encourage companies seeking legitimate business and trade,” U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jess Long said.
The Container Control Programme (CCP) was developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to assist governments to create sustainable enforcement structures in selected seaports with the aim to minimize the risk of maritime containers being exploited, to deter and combat illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crimes and other forms of illicit activity and to facilitate the legitimate trade.
