Moyale border post opened as Uhuru, PM Abiy call for unity among border communities

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have called for peace and co-existence among the border communities.

The duo on Wednesday said the border communities have three generations that have nurtured the relationship between the two countries.

They said the communities have for years continued to coexist, as brothers and sisters.

“What we need Prime Minister, therefore, is to encourage them to continue working together, maintaining peace and security for this is the surest way that they can reach the maximum benefit of the excellent relationship between two nations,” Uhuru said.

The two spoke in Moyale during the official opening of the One-Stop Border Post.

Abiy is in the country for a two-day state visit. Expected to tour Lamu's LAPSSET project among others.

Uhuru said the aim of his administration is to see Moyale elevated into a Dubai like city to serve the region.

He said non-tariff barriers have remained a big challenge on the economic front and there is a need to address it as a matter of urgency.

“And in this regard, my government is committed to continuing working with yours in developing mechanisms towards the elimination of these barriers making the two countries model and promoting bilateral trade and investment,” Uhuru said.

The head of state said there is considerable untapped potential for aid and investment opportunities, and urged the business community from both sides to capitalize on this potential, taking advantage of the infrastructure being developed to enhance trade and investment.

“Successful completion of this border post would not have been achieved without the support of various friends the African Development Bank, the government of the United Kingdom, who partnered with this important piece of creative infrastructure and they are indeed very grateful development partners for their valuable support,” he said.

“I am convinced there is still tremendous potential to grow our trade volumes and my government recognizes the importance of strategic partnerships and the development of joint infrastructure projects which will further cement the close ties between Kenya and Ethiopia,” Uhuru added.

He said the opening of the border post displays concerted efforts and commitment to continue on the path of deepening bilateral relations.

“This border post is a milestone in the modernization of infrastructure in our region which will go a long way in facilitating trade and investment between our two countries. Indeed, with the completion of this project by the two countries have demonstrated the political goodwill to address the challenges and impediments facing business communities,” he said.

Uhuru said in addition to facilitating trade between our two countries the border post will also enhance mutual interactions among people and create synergy, as well as the unity of purpose.

Abiy in his remarks said a time has come for the two countries to forge towards perfecting cross-border and institutional collaboration guided by the spirit of cooperation for mutual growth of its citizens.

“Launching such collaboration is a historical moment of utmost significance. The success of these projects will be measured by how effectively we have risen in our costs of institutions. It will also be measured by how much we have been able to seamlessly trade between Ethiopia and Kenya,” Abiy said.

Abiy said the post will play a key role in reducing the time taken and costs incurred to clear goods across the borders.