South Sudan National Bureau of Standards has exhibited willingness to release all cargo trucks from Uganda which had been impounded with ‘substandard’ maize flour.
About a month ago, hundreds of trucks from Uganda carrying maize, maize flour and wheat were intercepted inside South Sudan on their way to Juba.
The country’s authorities subjected the consignment to food safety examination on grounds that the flour was contaminated.
The drivers and owners of the impounded cargo who rejected the tests were sent back to Uganda.
Ugandan traders raised an alarm maintaining that tests which had been carried out by Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) showed the flour was fit for human consumption.
South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) also took samples and tests were conducted in a “neutral country”, and hundreds of trucks were allowed entry because some of the consignment passed the test.
62 of the trucks remained stationed at Nimule for now close to a month as both governments engaged in talks. Against that backdrop, SSNBS issued a letter on the June 23 to all agents and owners of the impounded merchandise.
“Offloading of impounded consignment at Nimule Station: Reference to the above-mentioned subject, as per directive of SSNBS Chief Executive Officer dated June, 23, 2023.”
“South Sudan National Bureau of Standards do call for the owners of the impounded consignments through their clearing agents if they are ready to facilitate the offloading of these trucks at Jellie Park then the trucks and drivers should leave to do other businesses.”
“The process of dumping is not yet finalized with the committee due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, the committee has decided to offload the trucks under the owners responsibility and drivers should leave Nimule with their trucks. Please accept assurances of my highest considerations and regards. Thanks Sincerely, Mr. Neckson Michael Sube.”
The letter comes after affected parties of the consignment issued a statement expressing dismay on reports that SSNBS had invited them to witness the destruction of their goods at a dumping site in Nimule.
But SSBNS clarified that the decision to destroy the goods had not been reached.
