Togo: Management of Dangerous Goods at Lomé Port Reviewed in Recent Meeting

Security

Wednesday, 17 July 2024 10:44

Togo: Management of Dangerous Goods at Lomé Port Reviewed in Recent Meeting

(Togo First) - Togo is reviewing how dangerous goods are managed at the Lomé port. Officials from the port and the Ministry of Civil Protection held a meeting last week to discuss this issue.

The meeting participants analyzed the current practices for handling these sensitive goods, as well as the level of implementation of national and international regulations. They found that more needs to be done to ensure stricter application of the rules.

After the discussions, recommendations were made that will be submitted to a committee for further consideration. Last week’s review was prompted by the observation that many dangerous products pass through or are stored within the port, posing risks to the safety and security of the port and the entire country.

According to Calixte Madjoulba, the Minister of Security, "the consequences of poor management or non-compliance with dangerous goods protocols can be catastrophic, both in human and environmental terms." The Togolese authorities want to enhance safety at the logistics hub by implementing stricter procedures and controls to prevent major incidents related to dangerous goods.

In recent years, Togo has signed various conventions on dangerous goods management. In 2021, it also adopted specific regulations regarding the movement of these goods and hazardous waste in its territorial waters.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.