Government needs to address crisis at Nimule border

Several cargo trucks carrying essential goods such as food, building materials and fuel, as truck drivers protest the exorbitant fees being levied on them.

The government in March this year contracted Invesco Uganda Ltd to operate the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) under the supervision of the customs department of the National Revenue Authority.

The 350 U.S. dollars being levied on each truck is the bone of contention as the truck drivers find it hefty.

South Sudan is currently mired in an economic crisis amid high inflation and unstable currency.

The trucks carrying badly needed essential goods have been stuck at the border for more than 15 days, which is an act of self-inflicted trouble.

 The economy is doing badly and yet at the same time there is a scarcity of essential goods and commodities which h is further causing inflation.

The concerned line ministries need to get their act together and resolve the crisis at the main Nimule border.

The Electronic Cargo Tracking Note is a game changer when it comes to improving non-oil revenue collection, but the complaints of the truck drivers need to be looked into because at the end of the day, it is the consumers in Juba and other parts of the country who pay the heavy price.