Nimule weighbridge. (-)

Government authorities have terminated long-standing arrangements that allowed military cargo trucks to bypass mandatory load inspections at Nimule.

The decision follows a stakeholder meeting in Nimule convened by the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, bringing together security agencies, customs officials, and municipal authorities to address the ongoing physical deterioration of the 192-kilometer Juba-Nimule Highway.

Gatluak Doleek, National Revenue Authority Assistant Commissioner for Customs, confirmed that security organs and transport regulators agreed that weight inspections apply to all heavy transport vehicles entering the country.

“There are trucks that come under exemption, especially consignments for the army,” Doleek said. “When they come, they usually do not accept going through the weighbridge. This issue was discussed with the Undersecretary together with all security organs present, and it was resolved because the weighbridge is not included in the exemption.”

The Ministry of Roads and Bridges noted that overloaded heavy vehicles are a primary factor accelerating asphalt failure and creating potholes along the major trade corridor, which links South Sudan to neighboring Uganda.

Ministry of Roads and Bridges Undersecretary Gabriel Makur Amour emphasized that rehabilitation plans require sustained institutional cooperation among contractors, local government officials, and communities along the route.

“The road has deteriorated and requires attention and rehabilitation,” Amour stated. “These rehabilitations require contractors and people responsible for materials like gravel, sand, and water. Part of this work requires the Town Mayor to cooperate with the contractors, as well as maintaining attention on the weighbridge facility.”

Cesar Longo Fuli, Mayor of Nimule Municipality, expressed readiness to support roadside enforcement and facilitate upcoming maintenance teams.

“We had a fruitful discussion on addressing the challenges of road potholes,” Fuli said, adding that road contractors are scheduled to deploy along the corridor.

The roadside weighbridge in Eastern Equatoria State serves as the primary checkpoint for regulating commercial cargo weights, enforcing statutory load limits, and protecting critical infrastructure along South Sudan’s main economic supply route.