Government Restricts Juba–Nimule Highway to Five Security Checkpoints

By Patricia John

The government has announced that only five security checkpoints will be allowed along the Juba–Nimule highway, as authorities move to dismantle illegal checkpoints and unauthorized security posts.

Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development ,Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said the remaining checkpoints are strictly for security purposes and must not be used to tax or extort trucks transporting goods and services.

“We made sure that there is nothing called custom security. We have disbanded this security and illegal checkpoints are also dismantled,” Gatkuoth said.

He said the five authorized checkpoints along the highway are intended only to maintain security and should not interfere with the transportation of goods and services.

“There are only five checkpoints from here to Nimule to Juba, and these five checkpoints are only for security reasons, not to check and tax the trucks that are actually transporting goods and services,” he said.

The minister said the government is also focused on ensuring that the presidential directive is fully implemented and that legally collected revenues reach government coffers.

“We want to make sure that this order is implemented and we are generating cash, revenue is coming into the coffers of the government,” Gatkuoth said.

He argued that South Sudan has the potential to develop through increased collection of non-oil revenues.

“We have a lot of money as a republic. We can even build this country using non-oil revenues,” he added.

Gatkuoth said the government team is on the highway to ensure compliance with the order issued by President ,Salva Kiir Mayardit, particularly on the removal of illegal checkpoints and the proper collection of government revenue.

“We are here to make sure that the order of the President, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, is implemented, and we are here for that,”he said.

The minister also confirmed that authorities have arrested individuals suspected of engaging in illegal activities along the highway, saying those arrested will face prosecution.

Gatkuoth warned against violating the directive and urged all actors along the highway to comply with the law and use official channels for taxation and revenue collection.