By William Madouk
Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have dismantled unsanctioned roadblocks along the road linking the state to neighbouring states in a bid to tame corruption and extortion by men in uniform.
This came after a security meeting led by NBGS’ governor, Simon Ober Mawut, which sanctioned the removal of the illegal roadblocks to ease movement and end unnecessary tax collection.
In his remark, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state Commissioner of Police, Maj-Gen Basilio Thomas Wani said, “we are now at the entrance road to Aweil town – Kuom road, it’s the only entrance road from Western Bahr el Ghazal, Wau and from Aweil South County – Malek-Alel, so now we have come to implement security committee meeting by dismantling all roadblocks.”
“We have his morning together with other head of security to implement order on removing and closing all roadblocks, we are now here and police are busy removing at barricade,” he added.
He urged the community to refrain from horrible exercise on road side, adding that illegal checkpoints exacerbate logistics costs, contributing to inflation and price increment.
Reacting to the move, Mr. Akok Noon, who is a constant traveler between Juba and Aweil said roadblocks have been a thorn in the traveler’s throat, adding that removing roadblocks is a big relief.
“I came last week and there are no roadblocks in Lakes State but when I arrived at Cueibet up to Western Bahr el Ghazal state that is where I found blockades and it is very disturbing,” said Noon.
“You get a string from one end of the road to the other side, and the conductor must alight down from car to pay those men in uniform and it disturbed us a lot,” he added.
Mr. Noon lauded the government for taking such a bold decision to dismantle blockades.
“So, since the government decided to remove all illegal roadblocks that is exactly what we are dreaming of, and I really appreciate the government for taking this bold decision,” he lauded.
Some states including Warrap, Eastern and Western Equatoria have also embarked on removal of illegal checkpoints as per resolutions of the eighth Governor’s Forum with Lakes State as the pioneer.