Juba, South Sudan
July 28, 2021 – First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has met with a group of representatives from the South Sudan National Boats Union in his office on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.
The group, which was comprised of eight members, came to brief the First Vice President on the difficulties they face in the maritime transportation business on the River Nile.
According to a press statement released by Machar’s office, the group discussed with Machar the challenges that include too many check-points and heavy taxes imposed on boat drivers along the way, which makes it difficult for them to render services to the people.
The statement says Machar pledged to address the concerns raised by the representatives “as soon as possible”.
“Machar 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”, says part of the statement seen by Nyamilepedia.
Machar said taxes should be paid at offload places, not at every checkpoint.
He also called on the Union to organize themselves in order to mitigate boat accidents that have been on the rise along the River Nile.
Mr. John Mut Riek and Mr.Othong Gai Rial, both from the South Sudan Boats Union, said they came as boat operators to meet the First Vice President to raise their concerns, adding that they are ready to deliver services to the people of South Sudan.
