SSNBS threatens to sue clearing agents involved in forgery

By Awan Achiek

The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) on Friday threatened to sue clearing agents involved in forging documents to clear imported products.

Dr. Kuorwel Kuai Kuorwel, Chairperson of SSNBS said the forging of the Certificate of Conformity (COC) and the stamp is a legal matter that can lead to jail.

“I will not ask people who have committed a crime just to pay a penalty for that matter, this practice will continue. So, all we have to do is to make sure that we take legal action against anyone engaging in any legal or criminal activity,” said Kuorwel during meeting with clearing agents in the Nimule border town on Friday.

He warned clearing agents to desist from allowing sub-standard goods to enter into the country.

“We conclude that although clearing agents are a very important part of the private sector and also in facilitating trade in South Sudan, we want them to desist from allowing sub-standard goods to enter into the country,” said Kuorwel.

He said that they will also take legal action against individuals or entities found selling expired or substandard products in the market.

“It is not only to clear agents here, it is for all South Sudanese that is involved in all commercial activities that should we discover that you are engaging in illegal activity such as selling expired products or substandard products knowing or intentionally, that is a criminal offence and we will take legal action against individuals or the entity that will be doing that,” said Kuorwel.

Deng Daniel, Chairman of the South Sudan Clearing Agents Freight Forwarding Association said that the forgery of clearing documents for imported products is a ‘coordinated network’ of both some clearing agents and government agencies.

“We came to understand that these individuals are not working alone without the help of other government agencies because we know that the packing yard is being controlled by all the government agencies including their security organs that are deployed there,” said Daniel.

He reassured that the clearing agents association would refrain from this malpractice.

“If there is anyone to ask it means it has been a network within the communication.  We responded to acknowledge and condemn if it is there and we as clearing agents, are going to refrain from doing malpractice and we shall minimize so that it will not be a case as usual,” said Kuorwel.