ECONOMIC REFORMS COMMITTEE INSPECTS NIMULE DRY PORT PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN REVENUE COLLECTION

The Ministerial High-Level Committee on Economic Reforms has arrived in Nimule for a fact-finding mission aimed at assessing border operations, engaging stakeholders and identifying measures to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and improve trade facilitation.

The delegation is led by the Minister of East African Community Affairs, Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol, and includes several national ministers, the Commissioner General of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet, senior government officials and representatives from security organs.

The delegation comprises the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hon. James Mawich; Minister of Interior, Hon. Aleu Ayieny Aleu; Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Hon. Onyoti Adigo; Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development, Hon. Ezekiel Lol; Minister of Justice, Hon. Wek Mamer; Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Thok Turuk; and the Commissioner General of SSRA, Hon. Amb. Moun Ajuet, accompanied by SSRA officials.

The field visit to Nimule is part of the practical implementation of the Presidential Order on the Cancellation of Non-Statutory Tax Exemptions, which forms the core mandate of the committee.

Upon arrival on Sunday, the committee inspected the ongoing construction of the Integrated Inland Customs Clearance Stop Area at Jele, a strategic infrastructure project designed to ease congestion at South Sudan’s busiest border crossing.

Briefing the delegation, Commissioner General Ambassador Moun Deng Ajuet said the facility will accommodate more than 1,000 cargo trucks once completed, helping to reduce congestion at existing customs parking yards while improving customs clearance and revenue collection.

“It’s a new project, and SSRA is working harder to bring all the trucks from Nimule to this area because Nimule is a very small town and is congested.” Ambassador Moun Deng said.

Assistant Commissioner for Customs at Nimule Station, Jacob Malith, explained that the dry port forms part of the Customs Division’s long-term expansion plans, with container operations expected to be relocated to the new site. He noted, however, that construction has stalled due to challenges facing the contractor.” Malith said.

“This project has been established for about eight months, and today it is a great honour to receive you, inspect it, and give a report on the progress of the project. This project is called the dry port. The One Stop Border Post is in Nimule, and this project is a side project. After we demolish those old buildings, we will transfer our containers to this site.”

Speaking after the inspection, Gen. Pieng Deng Kuol reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting projects that strengthen the South Sudan Revenue Authority’s capacity to mobilise domestic revenue and improve trade facilitation.

“It’s a good project, and we hope that it’s going to materialise. For sure, we are going to support whatever will enhance the Revenue Authority. As the Minister of East African Community Affairs, definitely this is one of our projects, and we really need it to take place.” Gen. Pieng Deng said.

The committee is expected to continue its engagement with government agencies, transporters, traders and other stakeholders operating at the Nimule border as part of efforts to strengthen border management, address challenges affecting revenue collection and enhance compliance with government tax policies.