(4 minutes read)
· Gizeshwork Tessema, the founder and CEO of Gize PLC, one of the leading logistics company in Ethiopia said that the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Djibouti are advised to co-manage Djibouti Port operations to address the logistics challenges port users are facing at the moment
· Gizeshwork Tessema suggested that experienced logistics companies in Ethiopia should provide necessary training to Djiboutian employees of logistic companies to bridge their skill gap
Gizeshwork Tessema, the founder and CEO of Gize PLC, one of the leading logistics company in Ethiopia said that the Governments of Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Djibouti are advised to co-manage Djibouti Port operations to address the logistics challenges port users are facing at the moment.
The German development agency – GIZ – has also urged the government of the two countries –Ethiopia and Djibouti -to setup a joint coordination desk. Currently, Ethiopian truck drivers and logistics companies are facing a number of logistics problems while handling cargoes at the Djibouti port. Because of many hassles, doing business through Djibouti port was near impossible, she lamented, adding that a joint management of the port would make things easier and would considerably enhance efficiency of the port.
Gizeshwork Tessema suggested that experienced logistics companies in Ethiopia should provide necessary training to Djiboutian employees of logistic companies to bridge their skill gap. This would plug some of the human resource gaps and can streamline the operations at the ports. For the landlocked Ethiopia, Djibouti port is the most convenient outlet for trade transactions. The host country has considerably invested in the port mainly to service the trade emanating from Ethiopia. Ethiopia, with a population of 110 million has to hugely depend on the neighboring Djibouti for its port facilities.
Gizeshwork Tessema also called upon the political leadership in both countries to work together to resolve the problems amicably. Till 1998, Ethiopia was using the Assab port of Eritrea. The war between the two countries (1998 to 2000) forced Ethiopia to fully depend on Djibouti. As a result, the port has heavily invested in handling containers and containerized products mainly destined and from Ethiopia.
