By Philip Buda Ladu
Inspector General of Police (IGP), has annulled a unilateral order issued by the Director General of Traffic Police, Maj. Gen. Kon John Akot on the validity of Driving License Permits.
In his controversial order dated January 4, 2025, Gen. Akot directed that the duration of driving licenses be reduced from 5 years to 1 year for nationals and from one year to 6 months for foreigners, a move that attracted fierce public criticism.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, an urgent meeting on the serious matter of public concern was convened between lawmakers and officials from the Ministry of Interior which resolved that the controversial order be revoked.
Those present at the meeting were the First Deputy Speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, Deputy and Acting Minister of Interior, Mangar Buom, Police Spokesperson Col. John Kassara, and Chair of the Specialized Committee for Security and Public Order Kom Kom, among others.
Following that meeting, the Office of the IGP, Maj. Gen. Abraham Manyuat Peter through the Spokesperson of South Sudan National Police Service, (SSNPS) issued a counter directive cancelling the order.
“Dear public, the Office of the Inspector General of Police is hereby notifying the public on the cancellation made on the above directive issued by the Director of Traffic Police dated 4th January 2025” Col. John Kassara stated.
“Hence, the public is advised that the driving license shall be valid for a period of five years at which they must be renewed upon presentation to the Licensing Authority along with the requisite fee” he added.
The police spokesman emphasized that it is imperative for all license holders to adhere to this directive to ensure compliance with the law and to maintain the validity of their driving credentials.
Col. Kassara on behalf of the police entity apologized to the public for any inconveniences the directives of the Traffic Police Director may have caused.
Many drivers had expressed concerns about the additional expense and inconvenience of yearly renewals, especially given the current economic challenges.