Nairobi, Dec. 28 -- The government's recent directive to revert all the port services to Mombasa is ill advised. Cargo handling volume of the port of Mombasa has been increasing over the years with delays in cargo clearance as well as congestions being a common phenomenon.

A study conducted by the Africa development Bank (AfDB) indicates that longer Customs clearance rate, longer delivery times, low-capacity road network, an outdated and fragmented rail infrastructure, a non-existent inland waterway transport system and port congestions, has contributed to Africa's poor logistics performance as compared to other developing regions in Latin America and Asia.

Statistics from the Kenya Ports Authority shows that Uganda at 76.7 percent, is ...