Transport resumes along Nimule-Elegu border after Juba intervenes

(radiotamazuj.org)

Commercial truck drivers have resumed movement along the Nimule- Elegu border point, on the Uganda-South Sudan border, after a week-long strike.

The truck drivers went on strike for a week to protest the imposition of high taxes and numerous checkpoints along the road, the main gateway into South Sudan from the port of Mombasa. 

Following the complaints, the South Sudan government formed a committee to investigate the claims and deal with the illegal checkpoints along the road. 

Major Juma George, the director of traffic police in Nimule, said trucks resumed operations on Wednesday last week and admitted that truck drivers were subjected to unnecessary taxes.

"Now there is no problem and the trucks are moving well. I see trucks now moving without any problems," he added.

The official urged truck drivers to report any harassment along the border so that the concerned authorities can take necessary action.

“We are also advising the drivers that any police officer who is stopping you from the road and is not a checkpoint, just report to the authorities," he urged. 

Meanwhile, Michael Abonyi, the chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in Nimule Municipal Council, said the recent strike has led to an increase in the prices of consumer goods, calling on the national government to monitor and clear unnecessary checkpoints along the border.

“We import most of the things from outside and if such things occur, commodity prices rise. So our civilians should not be suffering like currently, all commodity prices have gone up when asked they say the charges along customs have gone up," he concluded.