Nimule customs staff could drop from 600 to 50 with scanners – SSRA chief
The Commissioner General of the South Sudan National Revenue Authority (SSRA), Rizig Dominic Samuel, says introducing modern cargo scanners at Nimule Border Post could reduce the number of customs officers required from more than 600 to about 50.
Mr. Rizig says the current reliance on manual cargo inspections makes customs operations time-consuming and increases the workload of officers, some of whom are required to offload, carry and inspect goods manually.
He made the remarks during his first official field visit to Nimule Border Post, where he is assessing revenue collection, customs operations and the working conditions of staff.
“To make the work of our staff easier, I believe the government must prioritise the provision of scanners. Currently, most operations are carried out manually, making the work time-consuming and demanding. With scanners in place, we could significantly reduce the number of customs officers required while improving efficiency and speeding up cargo inspections,” Mr. Rizig said.
He added that the SSRA would engage the Minister of Finance upon returning to Juba to discuss how the equipment could be secured as quickly as possible.
The Commissioner General also acknowledged the difficult working conditions facing customs personnel and commended them for continuing to serve the country despite the challenges.
The two-day visit has brought together senior officials from the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration, the Criminal Investigation Department, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces, the National Security Service, the Police and other government institutions.
The delegation is also expected to assess ways of strengthening inter-agency cooperation, improving border security and protecting government revenue.
Nimule Border Post is South Sudan’s main trade gateway with neighboring Uganda and a major entry point for imported goods and other essential commodities.
