By William Madouk
National Assembly Specialized Committee for Trade and Industry Chairperson expressed concern over government’s failure to adequately protect the Nimule checkpoints during nighttime.
Mr. Wilson Lodiong Sebit raised a red flag, warning of potential dangers that could arise as a result of negligence.
He noted that due to unwary practices, unscrupulous traders got it as a means to ferry their substandard products into the country at night.
“I am told the border in Nimule is empty at night; anybody can bring anything from Nimule at night to Juba,” he alleged.
“My appeal to the Ministry of Trade is that they must at least make sure Nimule checkpoints work 24 hours a day,”
He made this remark yesterday during a one-day workshop organized by the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards in partnership with Marksol Inc. on ‘inspection testing and fuel marking.’
He urged the Bureau of Standards to ensure that all goods that enter the country meet standards.
“At least make sure you prevent [all substandard] goods from entering this country, and all is being checked,” he continued. “I am also happy to have learned that the laboratory in the Nimule border post is now standard for the rest of the region,” he said.
The MP appreciated SSNBS for teaming up with Marksol Inc. to test the quality of fuel before entering South Sudan.
“Many vehicles are now parked because, previously, I think they were spoiled by fourth- or third-class fuel that came into our country,” the lawmaker noted.
“Today, I am happy that there is a company that can test the fuel, and we will at least benefit from the cars we are using,” he lauded.
Lodiong stressed that, indeed, the Bureau of Standards is the cornerstone of everybody’s health and machinery coming to South Sudan.
“Nowadays, they are talking about the fact that the rate of death has increased very badly simply because the Bureau of Standards has not been well equipped to do what they can do,” he lamented, referring to the limited resources and inadequate technical expertise provided to the Bureau of Standards staff.
Meanwhile, Majak Deng, the acting Chief Executive Officer of SSNBS, said they have been in partnership with Marksol Inc. for a period of one year.
“The reason we joined hands with Marksol Inc. is because we want to improve the quality of fuel coming to South Sudan and make sure it complies with standards,” he said. “We have a lab at the border, and all fuel coming to South Sudan is certified,” he affirmed.