Illegal roadblocks manned by men in uniform are common across South Sudan. (-)

The national cabinet has deliberated on concerns raised by the Minister of General Education and Instruction about the presence of many checkpoints along major roads and waterways in Unity State.

According to Michael Makuei, the Minister of Information, Education Minister Awut Deng Achuil told the meeting the checkpoints and roadblocks are being used to illegally tax government and relief convoys.

Awut, who had just returned from a visit to Unity State, reportedly said the illegal taxation has resulted in increased cost of transporting school equipment.

Makuei said the education minister presented a memo to the national cabinet on the issue, which is said to be negatively impacting the transmission of education service to the flood-stricken state.

Makuei told reporters that the Council of Ministers has directed relevant authorities to take action and remove the roadblocks.

“Roads and rivers blocks are being used by the people who are not authorized, and those are the ones who cause problems, and these problems add value to the cost of transporting even school materials like books and others,” Makuei said at a press conference on Friday.

“When they are taken by the river transport, people who manage the river blocks are charging ministry of education highly and they have to pay to pass.”

“Such act cost a lot of problem to the ministry now the cabinet was informed, and all directive was given to what should be done next.”