On December 13, a globally known news website, The Conversation, published a research finding titled: ‘Checkpoint ‘taxes’ make South Sudan one of the most expensive places to move goods’, which painted the picture of what motorists go through in South Sudanese roads.

The piece covered the logistical but monetary requirements that transporters must factor in to move around on South Sudanese roads.

Conducted by Danish researchers Peer Schouten and Ken Matthysen, the findings covered the number of roadblocks on the South Sudanese roads and the kinds of illegal fees charged by the security officers on such roadblocks.

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Although the government is trying its best to secure movements of people and goods especially to simplify the delivery of relief food, the study reveals that this process is hampered by money-hungry individuals hiding in the uniforms of organised forces to milk a fortune from the transporters. The ramification of this is a road network which attracts the heaviest expenses to move around.

Expensive venture

For starters, here are some of the highlights from the study. The researchers stated in their findings and realistically that the routes are manned by the government and opposition soldiers. However, they argued that most officers lamented the squalid living conditions and meagre payments of salaries, which they said forced their arms into hitting traders with exorbitant taxes to aid their survival.

Below is an excerpt from the study:

“Barges typically shuttle between Bor and Renk carrying around 300 to 400 metric tons of humanitarian aid or foodstuff. For the entire return journey, each barge will pay about US$211 at each of the 33 checkpoints, totalling a stunning US$10,000 for a round trip.”

It then boldly states: ‘‘Similarly, while checkpoints on the road between Juba and Bentiu on average charge a truck about US$21, the total journey involves passing 80 checkpoints —- meaning a return journey easily costs over US$3,000 in checkpoint taxes. This makes transport in South Sudan among the most expensive in the world, with a price per metric tonne only rivalled by Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The researchers quoted an unknown soldier confessing that they depend heavily on the illegal taxes to keep with the financial demands and pay their bills.

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“I am happy here, as the daily collections I make here are far better than my salary. On a good day, I can get US$25, while my monthly salary is US$3, and it doesn’t even come on time,” it stated.

Effects?

Earlier this week, The City Review ran a story about the heavy charges on motorists moving passengers upcountry. So resigned are the security officers are charging the ‘taxes’ that they do blatantly and demand it from the drivers as if it is their birthright. On the ironic side, the money does not go to the National Revenue Authority, neither does it go to the states nor event the municipalities.

As a consequence, the residents of the youngest country have been shouldering the burdens of higher prices of goods as importers are forced into recouping their money lost in the illegally erected roadblocks.

The illegal roadblocks that have been turned into extortionist hubs at the expense of traders, humanitarian workers and citizens should be addressed. How can this be done? The government should map and publish the roadblocks and come up with standard toll fees if any.

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Any attempt to perpetuate the status quo will be like subjecting innocent citizens to misery. And, what of the sources of revenue that the government is denied access to by individuals serving their own interests in the organised forces?