N. Bahr el Ghazal governor bans roadblocks

The governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal ordered the closure of roadblocks in the state.

The governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal ordered the closure of roadblocks in the state.

The directive comes after Caretaker Governor Kuel Aguer Kuel met in Aweil Saturday with traders from Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia as well as South Sudanese traders to discuss challenges facing the business community.

Traders in the state have complained of high taxes at the border with Sudan at Majok and Warawar for goods to Aweil resulting in price increases.

State Minister of Trade and Investment Ronald Raui Deng said, “We had agreed there will be no roadblock, no one should pay to the roadblocks, and roadblock is for security and not taxes. We have two area that you should pay that’s at Majok and Aweil if the trader is coming to the town.”

Ronald said the taxes are to be collected at the final destination of the goods and that the governor also banned roadblocks collecting so-called “Zaka” taxes from Muslim traders.

According to the minister, the governor said the state government will introduce a new “Form 15” document for traders, which will exempt them from roadblock taxes.

The governor also asked the Mayor Tong Deng of Aweil to find a new market for local women selling vegetables, Ronald said.

File photo.

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