Covering the Port View from the newsroom

WHY CARE ABOUT PORT?  Is one of the largest and most critical economic infrastructure for Kenya and the region.  Handles more than 80 per cent of Kenya’s imports hence critical to international trade. (link between trade and social welfare).  Determines cost of goods hence rate of inflation (economic & social welfare of citizens).  Readers and hence journalists are least concerned about issues that are only of interest to the ports management.

WHAT THE NEWROOM NEEDS  Information/statistics that speak to the issues that resonate with the readers.  Examples:  How does the port’s operations affect (positively or negatively ordinary people’s lives?)  Dissect and clearly define your space for easy scaling (measurement of your actions)  How many players are involved in the massive logistical operation at the port?  What is the role of each in facilitating the smooth flow of goods through the port?

THE POINTS OF CONVERGENCE  Importance of the port to the economy means efficiency of its operations are of utmost interest to Kenya and region.  Numbers should speak for themselves: e.g  The volume and type of goods handled by the port.  How long does it take a ship to dock and why should the business community/ordinary consumer be interested?  How long does it to offload a container?  What is the cargo dwell time at the depot?  Media focus on these numbers will tell of regress or progress bearing you out among the important publics.

THE NUMBERS (Imports) Goods handled as a percentage of total PRODUCTKENYANIGERIASOUTH AFRICA UGAND A Chemicals & allied Foodstuff Machinery Minerals & Metals Plastics & rubber

WHAT STATISTICS SAY Port was built for 250,000 TEUs but now handles more than 800,000 TEUs. It takes days for a ship to be allocated a berth. Delay costs shippers between $10,000 and $12,000 per day in demurrage fees. It takes 7 days to discharge a container and 18 days to get it to the Container Freight Service (CFS) deport. Takes 2 days to transport container to Nairobi. Plus NTBs takes 44 days to Kampala, 46 to Kigali

GEMS IN PORT STORIES  Tells of Kenya’s global positioning.  Is best thermometer of economic health of Kenya and region e.g. the balance of trade.  Improvement in efficiency has far- reaching implications on trade and social welfare.  Largest single centre for customs taxes hence big contributor of government revenue.

PORT & OTHER PLAYERS  KRA and its quest to collect taxes.  Immigration and registration of persons.  The Kenya Police  Inland transport. Rail/Road  Is it hindering or facilitating business  Goods are often accompanied by people  Offering a service or erecting NTBs  How fast are goods leaving the port to final destination.

THE TALKING POINTS  Make your story fresh and informative.  Ask yourself whether you would care to read the story if you were not working for KPA.  What is new?  Why does it matter?  Every story must pass the SO WHAT? Test.  Know journalists

 THANK YOU