Long queues of lorries that have been a normal sight within the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) depots across the country will soon be a thing of the past.
This is after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, launched smart gates – a digital solution that allows faster clearance, loading and exit of trucks from KPC to various destinations.
The smart gates solution is expected to eliminate long queues which have been caused by manual processes at the Kenya Pipeline Company.
Speaking during the launch of the new system at Eldoret KPC depot, KRA North Rift regional coordinator Barile Wario said it will ensure the process is efficient.
“Automation is the way to go. For KRA, we look for every opportunity to digitize our systems. Smart gates is one of a kind. The process is configured to detect vehicles in transit as well as those travelling within the country,” Wario said.
How do smart gates operate?
With the new digital system, every oil tanker is instaled with an e-fuel that is used to monitor the movement of the trucks carrying transit oil – in real-time.
“The smart gate communicates with e-fuel in that when the tanker gets closer to the KPC gate, the gate automatically opens as long as it has met all the requirements,” explains Susan Wanjohi, senior KRA officer in charge of Cargo Monitoring.
She notes that for a long time, KPC exit and entry gates have been using manual paperwork where a truck’s details are registered before it is allowed in or out of the depot but with smart gates, human intervention is no longer needed.
However, only tankers in transit will be installed with e-fuel. For lorries carrying fuel not meant for export, the KRA says their details have been captured and they will automatically get cleared at KPC gates as long as they have customs declaration.
“With smart gates, we are able to see the location of the truck at all times once cleared to exit a KPC depot, monitoring temperatures and also we can know the volume inside. If there is a drop we get an alert,” said Wanjohi.
RECTS
This is the first digital system to be used in the country. It is part of RECTS, a cargo monitoring system along the Northern Corridor.
Julius Nkwasire Mponoka, an Assistant Commissioner in charge of Enforcement at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) who was present during the event on his part said the new system will hasten clearance of fuel trucks at the border points.
“It means a lot to us, it means quick turnover, goods will move faster and services will be delivered to the people. It also means we can begin to transfer data electronically which will help in the quick clearance of goods,” said the URA official.
“We shall continue to launch smart gate in all other places and enhance the drive of our leaders to have a non-border stop,” he added.
