Trucks stuck on Juba – Bor road
By Philip Thon Aleu
October 30, 2008 (BOR TOWN) — Business between and Juba comes to a stand-still following transit vehicles stuck at Goi, about 16 south of Bor Town. Goods worth thousands Sudanese pounds have been exposed to related problems, a trader says.
Conditions prove unbearable for heavy trucks following Tuesday and Wednesday rains that challenged the dry weather roads. A distance of about three kilometers from Pariak through Goi to Malek (south of Bor Town) is too muddy, favorable only during dry season. Trucks loaded with goods, including feasible ones are stuck. Movement passenger’s buses have been delayed or sought down too.
Government of Jonglei state has been citing poor roads as major challenge toward development and promised to great in short time.
Juba – Bor road has been under reconstruction recently but work stopped before covering much of Jonglei’s muddy territory.
A price of goods nearly doubles in Bor market. Traders say the aim is to meet expensive trucks hiring from Kenya, Uganda or Juba. A 25 tones vehicle is hired at 3500 Sudanese Pounds to carry goods (about $1700 U.S) from Kampala to Bor, and at least 1000 SDG for 12 tone truck from Juba to Bor.
However, poor roads and high taxes boasted by many check, points could back traders doubling of prices. “There is no choice but adds all these expenses on the good,” John Deng, a trader at Marol Market says.
(ST)