By William Madouk
Minister of Trade and Industry has urged South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) to ensure maintaining standards for consumer safety and economic growth.
Ambassador Joseph Moun Majak made the remark on Tuesday during his first official visit to the Bureau’s metrology and central laboratories.
He called for a joint effort in enhancing consumer product safety, strengthening quality, control measures, and improving standards to meet regional and international trade requirements.
“We must work together to develop and implement policies that not only regulate import and export but also foster sustainable economic growth,” he added.
The visit served as an opportunity for SSNBS to highlight its achievements and challenges, including a need for increased funding, capacity building, and improved staff welfare.
Ambassador Moun commended the SSNBS staff for their dedication to ensuring food safety and maintaining standards.
“As South Sudan integrates further into the global economy, adopting and enforcing strong standards will be key to improving investor confidence and expanding market access,” he said.
Meanwhile, Executive Director for the National Bureau of Standards, Gloria Nyoka called for a bigger budget for the institution, saying an allocation meant for staff incentive hardly comes.
“Unfortunately, the 5% which is supposed to be incentive for the staff, due to the economic crises, we are using it for our services in the Bureau,” she said.
Nyoka hinted at the establishment of well-functioning laboratories across the country. But she decried the issue of mobility, asserting that the bureau is grappling with outdated cars that consume money for repair.
“We are also looking forward to table a request to you to help us so that we lobby also for mobility, especially vehicles for the work to be done at the Bureau,” she said.
Besides, Ms. Nyoka echoed the expansion of the Bureau of Standards’ presence to ten states and three administrative areas.
SSNBS boss advocated for the passage of the National Quality Policy to address rampant power overlapping.
The Bureau of Standards called for staff capacity building for an improved and quality outcome.
“We are having some projects that are little with some of the development partners, they are training our staff and also equipping them on how to use, for example, the equipment and do inspection. It is not enough,” she added.
She mooted an ambitious plan of establishing a metrology institute in Western Bahr El Ghazal State, Wau, asserting without metrology the Bureau Standards cannot function well.
Highlighting some achievements, Ms. Nyoka recalled the launching of Quality Mark Certification, a local quality award race that led two firms to partake in the EAC Quality Award Competition.