By Lodu William Odiya
A former governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Aloisio Emor Ojetuk has cautioned the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) against compromising on product quality, saying the move could endanger public health and undermine consumer confidence in the country.
Speaking during a welcoming ceremony of the new SSNBS Executive director on Thursday in Juba, Emor urged the standards body to strengthen inspection and enforcement mechanisms to ensure that only safe and certified goods are allowed into the markets.
“Do not compromise on quality, as it is crucial for the people of South Sudan’s quality and safety must always come first,” he said
He stressed that maintaining strict standards is essential to protect citizens from substandard and potentially harmful products.
Emor emphasized that the influx of low-quality goods in local markets has been a growing concern among consumers and business owners alike.
According to him, allowing poor-quality imports or locally manufactured products to circulate freely could expose people to health risks and weaken the country’s efforts to regulate trade.
“This institution is very sensitive because it deals with traders and a wide range of commodities entering the market, some of which may be substandard” he added.
He called on the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards to remain firm in its mandate of verifying the quality of goods before they are cleared for sale.
“Standards institutions exist to safeguard the public. Any compromise on quality control will directly affect the wellbeing of our people,” he said.
He further encouraged traders and importers to comply with regulations set by the bureau, emphasizing that adherence to standards would improve trust in the market and promote fair competition among businesses.
The role of SSNBS is critical as the country continues to rely heavily on imported goods.
“Continue working hard and collaborate closely with your colleagues and supervisors, particularly the Minister of Trade, to move the institution forward” he told SSNBS.
Additionally, the strict monitoring of products at entry points and within markets will help prevent counterfeit and substandard items from reaching consumers.
He further urged the government institutions to provide adequate support to SSNBS so it can effectively carry out its duties.
He underscored that protecting product quality is key to safeguarding public health and strengthening the national economy.