2004年-世界发展银行全球_Islamic_Republic_of_Mauritania___Transport_Sector_Overview_50页_3mb

Summary of the Transport Sector Report for Mauritania

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank, evaluates the transport sector in Mauritania, focusing on road, air, and maritime transport. It outlines the current state of the sector, identifies challenges, and proposes recommendations to improve its efficiency and alignment with national and regional development goals. The report also discusses the context of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) in shaping transport policy and investment.

Main Objectives of the ESW

• To provide a framework for the Government to analyze transport sector issues and develop a transport sector strategy for the 2004–2009 period.
• To identify issues and challenges that can be addressed through donor-funded operations.

Key Findings

Road Transport

• The road network is 10,300 km long, with only 2,400 km paved.
• The condition of the road network is not well-documented, but paved roads are in relatively good condition (70% in good to fair condition), while earth roads are in poor condition.
• Road transport carries over 90% of passengers and 80% of goods in the country, despite the deteriorating state of the network.
• Traffic levels are growing rapidly, with passenger traffic projected to increase by 6% and freight by 8% annually.
• The implementation of the first phase of the National Transport Plan (NTP) showed a significant imbalance in spending, with more focus on construction than maintenance.
• Road maintenance financing remains inadequate, with only US$2.3 million generated annually through user taxes, covering only 16% of maintenance needs.
• The trucking industry is dominated by the National Carriers Association (FNT), which controls most trucking companies and influences transport tariffs, leading to low profitability.
• The BNT manages truck depots, but its system of service rotation, freight sharing, and exit taxes stifles competitiveness and adds operational costs of US$10 million annually.
• The Road Management Bureau (BGR) was created in 1995 to manage road data but lacked operational resources until 2003 when EU funding allowed it to resume data collection.
• The Road Maintenance Agency (ENER) has been unable to maintain more than 3,000 km of the road network due to insufficient funding and challenges in outsourcing to SMEs.

Air Transport

• Mauritania has 10 airports and 7 airfields, with three classified as international (Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, and Atar).
• Air traffic has declined over the past decade, peaking at 369,000 passengers in 1993 and dropping to 282,000 in 1999.
• Recent projections indicate potential growth of 7% per year through 2015, driven by economic expansion, oil exploration, and tourism.
• Security and safety standards at main airports are below ICAO requirements, raising concerns.
• The Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) lacks the capacity to enforce ICAO standards, threatening the sector's development.
• The national airline, Air Mauritania, is financially unstable, and the port of Nouadhibou is losing its fuel import monopoly to Nouakchott.

Maritime Transport

• Port activities are centered on Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, with traffic excluding oil and minerals growing at a moderate rate.
• Nouakchott has experienced faster growth (9.4% annual rate) compared to Nouadhibou (-4.0% annual rate).
• Nouadhibou's fish export activities have declined significantly, while Nouakchott benefits from iron ore and petroleum product trade.
• Port management is fragmented among multiple ministries and authorities, leading to inefficiencies.
• Port tariffs are high compared to regional counterparts, and environmental costs are a major concern, especially for PANPA.

Key Challenges

• Funding Gaps: Insufficient resources for road maintenance and infrastructure development.
• Institutional Weakness: Limited capacity of agencies and entities to manage and regulate the transport sector effectively.
• Regulatory Deficiencies: Outdated and inadequate regulations hinder sector development and competitiveness.
• Private Sector Involvement: Low participation of private capital in transport financing.
• Security and Safety: Poor aviation and maritime security standards pose risks to operations and growth.
• Fragmented Management: Multiple ministries and authorities managing port infrastructure lead to inefficiencies.
• Environmental Concerns: High environmental costs, particularly at Nouakchott, threaten port sustainability.

Recommendations

Road Transport

• Correct the imbalance between investment and maintenance by better allocating funds during the second phase of the NTP.
• Improve the road maintenance financing mechanism, including contributions from SNIM and the establishment of a second-generation road fund.
• Continue a road investment program to enhance mobility and regional connectivity.
• Strengthen the road management system by clarifying responsibilities and supporting SME participation in maintenance.
• Update regulations to ensure effective liberalization and create a regulatory agency framework for the sector.
• Improve the balance between supply and demand by promoting competition and enhancing private operators' capabilities.
• Develop a mechanism to professionalize the trucking industry through training and other support measures.

Air Transport

• Strengthen the Civil Aviation Directorate to meet ICAO standards and achieve Category I certification.
• Raise airport security standards to ICAO levels, especially in the post-September 11 context.
• Rehabilitate Nouakchott and Nouadhibou airports to address safety concerns and infrastructure deterioration.
• Help the Mauritania Airports Corporation (SAM) improve its financial management by clearing payables and receivables and attracting a majority shareholder.

Maritime Transport

• Develop a comprehensive maritime sector strategy to guide port development and investment.
• Address the fragmented management of port infrastructure by centralizing administrative oversight.
• Identify and reflect true operational and environmental costs in port accounts.
• Lower stevedoring and port charges to improve productivity and competitiveness.
• Ensure that investment priorities are assessed based on their contribution to the overall transport network rather than on a port-by-port basis.

Cross-cutting Issues

• Transport and Poverty: Improve access to transport for poor populations.
• Transport and Safety: Enhance safety standards across all transport modes.
• Trade and Transport: Improve efficiency and reduce costs to support trade.
• Regional Integration: Strengthen regional transport corridors and connections.
• Institutional Capacity: Build the capacity of government agencies and local communities.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encourage more private investment in transport infrastructure.
• Environmental and Social Dimensions: Address environmental degradation and social impacts of transport projects.

Conclusion

This ESW serves as a foundation for the development of a transport sector strategy in Mauritania, emphasizing the need for improved funding, regulation, and institutional capacity. It also highlights the importance of regional integration and the role of public-private partnerships in enhancing the sector's contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction. The report is complemented by two more comprehensive studies planned for the near future.