Machar, boats union representatives discuss challenges

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and members of South Sudan National Boats Union have met this afternoon and discussed a number of challenges facing the business community.

In a statement, Machar’s office wrote: “H.E the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, has met with a group of representatives from the South Sudan National Boats Union in his office on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021.”

“The group which comprises of eight members has come to inform the First Vice President about the difficulties they face in the maritime transportation business on the River Nile.

“Some of those challenges include too many check-points and heavy taxes imposed on boats drivers along the way which made it difficult for them to render services to the people in those areas.

“H.E the First Vice President after hearing their concerns, assured the South Sudan Boats Union of the government’s readiness to look into these complaints and solve them as soon as possible so that services can reach the civil populations.

“Machar said taxes should be paid at offload places not at every check-point.

“He also urged the South Sudan Boats Union to organize themselves in order to minimize the boats accidents that kept on occurring along the River.

“Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr John Mut Riek and Mr Othong Gai Rial, both of whom are members of the South Sudan Boats Union, said they came to meet the First Vice President as boats operators to raise their grievances, adding that they are ready to deliver services to the people of South Sudan.”