JUBA, South Sudan – Authorities in Central Equatoria State have banned wheelbarrow vendors from selling goods in markets and along roadsides in Juba, saying some traders are abandoning their shops to evade tax obligations.
The directive was issued by the state security committee during its weekly meeting on Tuesday, chaired by caretaker Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani, according to a statement from the Central Equatoria State government.
The committee said some shop owners had resorted to selling goods from wheelbarrows instead of operating from their shops, raising concerns over tax compliance.
It directed the caretaker Juba County commissioner and the caretaker mayor of Juba City Council to enforce the ban with immediate effect.
The committee also ordered inspections of electrical wiring in markets to reduce the risk of fires caused by electrical faults and short circuits. It further directed authorities to ensure that iron-sheet structures and other temporary market facilities are replaced with permanent concrete buildings.
The measures come amid concerns over market fires that have destroyed property and affected traders’ livelihoods.
In a separate directive, the committee banned the sale of a small red-capped alcoholic drink locally known as “Jena Fa’ar”, which it described as harmful for consumption. The Juba County commissioner and city mayor were also instructed to enforce the prohibition immediately.
The committee said the measures were intended to improve public safety, strengthen tax compliance and reorganise markets in the state capital.
It reported that the overall security situation in Central Equatoria remained calm, apart from isolated incidents being handled by security agencies.
The state government said it remained committed to maintaining security and stability across the state’s counties ahead of the planned elections.