The Impact of Physical Infrastructure on the Functionality of One Stop Border Post -A Case Study of the Nakonde Border Post

The study examined the effect which the physical infrastructure has on the functionality of the Nakonde One-Stop-Border-Post (Nakonde OSBP) in Zambia. A Mixed Approach Methodology of descriptive study design, and a case study strategy were employed, to extract data from the relevant literature, focus group interviews and a structured questionnaire. The target population comprised the Nakonde border government agencies, custom brokers, cross-border drivers and, transporters who are situated and operate around the Nakonde OSBP. The stratified random and purposive sampling methods were employed to determine a sample size of 139 respondents. The findings of the study show a significant and positive relationship between physical infrastructure and the functionality of the Nakonde OSBP. The findings of the study also show that the independent variable factors have a varied influence on the dependent variables. In particular, the results of the study indicate that the with road network greatly enhances the functionality of the Nakonde OSBP. The results of the study also indicate that the storage facilities and the parking facilities have a reduced effect on the functionality of the Nakonde OSBP. Further, the results of the study show that the inspection facilities and operational equipment were not predictors for the functionality of the Nakonde OSBP. The study recommends investment and improvements in transport facilitation as it is a pre-requisite to regional integration, in-time supply of goods, movement of people, security of goods, reduction in time and trade cost.