By William Madouk
National Bureau of Standards and Japanese private firm, East Africa Automobile (EAA), have struck a deal for mandatory motor vehicle and spare parts inspections before entering the country.
The 5-years contract entails provision of services for pre-shipment verification of product conformity with the standards of all motor vehicles and spare parts imports, to weed out substandard products.
Meaning, any imported automobile without an EAA certificate and sticker would not be allowed to enter the country.
The deal also entailed that the importer would be charged an inspection fee of up to $150, per an automobile.
Ms. Mary Gordon, the Executive Officer for the South Sudan National Bureau of Standard, said people are buying so-called new cars just to last for a short period of time due to a lack of inspections.
“A lot of us are buying so-called new cars, and within six months, you are out somewhere looking for a mechanic or going to the garage,” Mary said.
“This is one of the reasons why we need this company to help us check our cars prior to us buying from another country,” she added.
The SSNBS boss also warned that a lot of imported cars have radiation, which poses a threat to human lives and the environment, while others are outdated motors being dumped in the country.
“Unknowingly, we are using these cars, so today, as we signed the contract as SSNBS and EAA companies, we are ensuring that radiation is being eliminated,” Mary noted.
She continued, “We are eliminating cars that are being used and beautified as new cars; we are stopping outdated cars—those of 50–60 years; all these cars are coming to South Sudan.”
According to her, the only way to stop all substandard products is for a country to adhere to regulations and rules of standards and also call on car dealers and owners to comply and cooperate with the EAA firm.
“EAA will check all the cars before they arrive in South Sudan. Once certified, you will be allowed to enter the border without any difficulties or questions,” she advised.
EAA’s director, Mr. Lee Sayer, said that the company, which operates in Japan, various African nations, and other foreign countries, is well equipped with modern tools to facilitate easy and on-time inspection,
“It’s an exciting time to sign a contract with SSNBS to provide roadworthiness and pre-shipment inspection to South Sudan,” Mr. Sayer said.
“We know 97% of vehicles are coming into South Sudan right now, which we are able to cover in terms of pre-shipment inspection,” he added.
Mr. Sayer cited that vehicles would be allowed to enter the country after they pass inspection, and buyers can now expect a car to be in the condition in which they believe they bought it from the source.
That entails that all car buyers must adhere to a pre-export inspection before motor vehicles and spare parts are brought into the country.