Truck drivers entering Bahr el-Ghazal through Juba highway have hailed the government for closing several checkpoints along the route.
Last Saturday, Western Bahr el-Ghazal State Government closed several checkpoints connecting the state with its neighbors, in a response to a presidential ban over alleged unlawful levies by security agents that forced the business communities to increase the prices of essential goods.
The checkpoints affected in Western Bahr el-Ghazal include Alur that connects Warrap State in the South, Kuajiena and Kuanya.
Sirka Ayat checkpoint, Gette, Udici and Kangi in the north Jur River County, were also affected.
Zoklona, Marial-bai and Tharkuney in the northeast were also closed down.
Other checkpoints in Wau County along the Wau-Raja and Wau Tambura roads were also immobilized.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, some truck drivers who passed through Wau town to Aweil and Kuajok confirmed the closure of the checkpoints.
The drivers said the closure of the checkpoints resolved a great challenge facing them along the ways.
“The number of the checkpoints has reduced. Previously, Juba to Wau had 11 checkpoints, but now only 5 remain,” said one of the drivers identified as Majok Kuol Nyak.
“These checkpoints were disturbing us a lot but we now only have them at Tharkueng and Wunrock,” said another one called Bol Akuei.
“My message to the government is a thank you and I call for the protection of the travelers along the highways,” he said.
“The removal of the checkpoints has advantages and disadvantages. Let the government maintain Tharkueng checkpoint because it is an entry checkpoint into Warrap,” he added.