The citizens in Unity State’s counties of Leer, Guit, Mayiendit, Koch, and Panyijiar have welcomed the removal of at least 20 checkpoints along the River Nile, saying the move will reduce commodity prices.
According to traders, there are an estimated 163 illegal checkpoints along the River Nile from Juba to Renk County in Upper Nile state.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Engineer Gatwich Bipal Both, the state’s information minister, confirmed the removal of the checkpoints along the Nile in Unity State as per the resolutions of the 8th Governors’ Forum held late last year.
“The removal of the checkpoints is good for traders and travelers who can now move freely from Juba without delays while transporting commodities,” he said. “Every county has remained with only four checkpoints, and Dok is the main port.”
For his part, Leer County Commissioner Stephen Taker concurred that it was a positive move to remove the “unnecessary checkpoint.”
“In the next few days, commodity prices will reduce,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Stephen Gai Yar, the chairperson of the trade union in Leer County, agreed that the removal of the illegal checkpoints would translate into cheaper goods in the market.
“After the arrival of new commodities, there will be a reduction of prices in the local markets since there will no longer be illegal taxation imposed on the traders,” he stated. “The traders can also reach their destinations in a shorter time.”
Nyalel Riek, a resident of Leer County, said there has been a drop in commodity prices after the removal of the illegal checkpoints.
“There is little change in the market after the removal of illegal checkpoints along the River Nile, and prices have slightly reduced,” she said.
Barrow Dak, the chairperson of the boat union in Leer County, welcomed the government’s decision to abolish all illegal checkpoints along the River Nile.
Last month, the Government of Unity State removed 32 checkpoints along the road from Mayom County to the state capital, Bentiu.