The local authorities in Central Equatoria State’s Yei River County last week started dispatching security personnel to remove illegal checkpoints along major routes in the county.
In the past, traders, transporters, and the public have often voiced concerns about the illegal checkpoints and roadblocks along major routes leading in and out of the county that prompted the local government to pass order to remove them.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Yei River County Commissioner Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa said the enforcement of the local order to remove roadblocks and checkpoints except those meant for security purposes is being enforced.
“The enforcement of the local order number four which is to remove all roadblocks and checkpoints apart from those specified for security and revenue purposes,” he stated. “The process started yesterday (Sunday) and the army and Military Intelligence have started moving out and the National Security Service (NSS) also removed theirs from Lutaya and ahead.”
“So, there are going to be limited roadblocks and checkpoints that are specified in the local order for security purposes only and not for tax or collection of money,” Kanyikwa added.
He underscored that removing illegal checkpoints and roadblocks will enable the free movement of civilians as long as they are not a security risk.
Meanwhile, Anite Kiden, a local trader in Yei, welcomed the move and said it would lead to a reduction in commodity prices.
“I am grateful to our government for this grateful work and I am glad the commissioner is implementing the removal of illegal checkpoints,” she said. “As the community, we will benefit because commodity prices will reduce. Traders will also supply more products in the market because taxes will reduce after unnecessary checkpoints are removed and all of us are going to benefit.”
Efforts to reach the chairperson of the chamber of commerce about this development were unsuccessful.
The order comes after several failed attempts to remove illegal checkpoints as directed by Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony.