JUBA-Local authorities in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State on Monday started dismantling illegal roadblocks linking Aweil town to neighboring states in an effort to curb corruption and extortion by uniformed men.
This came following a security meeting chaired by Northern Bahr el Ghazal State governor, Simon Ober Mawut that authorized the removal of the unlawful barriers to facilitate the flow of goods.
In his remark, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state Commissioner of Police, Maj-Gen Basilio Thomas Wani, stated they have begun removing the illegal barriers that the traders have identified as extortion dens along the state’s main thoroughfares.
“We are now at the entrance road to Aweil town—Kuom Road. It’s the only entrance road from Western Bahr el Ghazal, Wau, and from Aweil South County—Malek-Alel, so now we have come to implement a security committee meeting by dismantling all roadblocks,” Thomas said.
“We have this morning together with other heads of security to implement an order on removing and closing all roadblocks; we are now here, and police are busy removing a barricade,” he added.
He urged the community to refrain from horrible exercise on the roadside, adding that illegal checkpoints exacerbate logistics costs, contributing to inflation and price increment.
For his part, Mr. Akok Noon, a constant traveler, said roadblocks have been a thorn in the travelers’ throats, adding that removing roadblocks is a big relief.
“I came last week, and there are no roadblocks in Lakes State, but when I arrived at Cueibet up to Western Bahr el Ghazal state, that is where I found blockades, and it is very disturbing,” said Noon.
“You get a string from one end of the road to the other side, and the conductor must alight down from the car to pay those men in uniform, and it disturbed us a lot,” he added.
Mr. Noon lauded the government for taking such a bold decision in dismantling blockades.
“So, since the government decided to remove all illegal roadblocks, that is exactly what we have been dreaming of, and I really appreciate the government for taking this bold decision,” he lauded.
Some states, including Warrap, Eastern and Western Equatoria, have also embarked on the removal of illegal checkpoints as per resolutions of the eighth Governor’s Forum, with Lakes State as the pioneer.
