The determination of truckers and truck drivers under trying times facilitated sustained the economy across sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism and trade with timely deliveries of goods, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transports and Communications, Jimmy Opelo, has said.
Speaking during a campaign to celebrate truck drivers’ efforts under the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic that was held at Tlokweng Border Post earlier this week, Opelo underscored transport as the lifeblood of the economy. He said transport is a valuable necessity as it assists the nation with the basic goods needed to survive being delivered to citizens timeously.
“As countries trade with each other is important, there is a need for a transport system that is efficient for goods to reach destinations on time,” he noted. Opelo acknowledged the hardships that truckers face such as high costs, customs and rules and regulations. “We therefore understand the need to advocate for a conducive environment to enable our drivers to continue performing diligently for the economies of our country to thrive,” he said.
He added that the government is ready to support the transport industry by ensuring the wellness of drivers and improving their safety and working conditions. Opelo noted the importance of truckers in Botswana leveraging on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). “As Botswana, we are reviewing our laws and developing policies aligned to the rest of the African continent to suit our driver’s needs,” he said.
