By Lodu William Odiya
The Ministry of trade and industry has yesterday launched awareness on implementation of harmonized African standards in South Sudan.
The central theme of the event was the urgent need to standardize automotive and transport safety measures in South Sudan.
Speaking at the opening remark, Atong Kuol Manyang, the Minister of Trade and Industry cautioned people to import good vehicles for the sake of safety.
“Others who are bringing vehicle to South Sudan, we need to make sure that we take part in to our safety” she said.
“We have to make sure that we bring the right products into our country, harmonization s very important so that we go along with other countries that already following the required standards” she said.
She acknowledged the SSNBS and other institutions were doing their best to make sure what comes into the country are of standard.
“We need all of us to be on board, together to do things for the safety of our citizens” she underlined.
The event, organized by the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards, focused specifically on the automotive industry, aiming to address pressing safety concerns and align the nation’s standards with continental best practices.
During discussions, many speakers highlighted that adhering to quality standards is essential from a vehicle’s manufacturing to its use on the road.
As a takeaway was a powerful call to harmonize national regulations with both existing South Sudanese and broader African standards.
The workshop’s recommendations underscored a shift toward a unified approaches which includes, encouraging collective efforts from all parties involved the government, public institutions, private businesses, and even individual citizens to ensure that safety standards are met and maintained.
Additionally, promoting harmonization between South Sudan’s automotive standards and continental frameworks to facilitate safer trade and transport.
Further more, Continued dialogue over the coming days to develop a comprehensive, actionable plan.
Throughout the sessions, speakers stressed the vital role of safety standards, reminding attendees that countless lives depend on the quality and reliability of vehicles.
An illustrative example was shared about personal experiences with unsafe airplanes in South Sudan, which emphasized the broader issue of inadequate safety and the government’s dedicated efforts to improve these conditions.
The safety of all transport vehicles, from cars to planes, remains a top priority, driven by a history of incidents and a current need for stricter regulations.
The workshop appealed for collective action. While the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards is at the forefront of this initiative, achieving national safety goals requires the active participation of everyone.
Harmless future for South Sudan’s transport sector can only be realized through the unified efforts of all stakeholders. The collaborative approach aims to create an environment where public safety is paramount.