Residents of the border town of Nimule in Eastern Equatoria State have hailed the government for extending the Central Bank’s services to the area, saying the move will address illicit trade.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Ayella Bosco, a resident of Nimule town, expressed joy over the establishment of a Central Bank’s branch, maintaining that it will aid financial transactions.

According to him, direct transfer of revenue collections from the Nimule to Juba is to blame for corruption and misuse of state revenues in the area.

“The government is targeting the collection that is done at the customs office; instead of people travelling to pay in Juba, then they will now be able to pay here. Instead of investors paying money to individuals, they will now come and pay directly at the bank, which is very good. The people on the ground here are very happy, including me, because this is a great development. It will minimize corruption and misuse of funds within the customs area and the people around here,” he said.

Achan Jeniffer Kenyi, a resident at Motoyo West of Nimule town, said the facility will provide employment opportunities for the youths and will also reduce prices of commodities in the market because it will minimize corruprion.

“The extension of the Central Bank here in Nimule is a good step because it also acts as an employment opportunity among youth, it will even reduce high prices of commodities in the market as we are seeing the prices of commodities keep on increasing, but sometimes we are worried because you get people coming to work here, sometimes they come with their employees and I will appreciate if they give a chance to our youth in Nimule,” she stated.

Daniel Deng, a clearing officer at Nimule Customs department, said though the Central Bank brings services nearer to the people, focus of the country should be on how to tackle the high inflation rate.

“This thing is going to minimize the movement of money from commercial banks to the Central Bank. Before the Central Bank comes in, the taxpayers pay their taxes at the commercial banks of their choice, and we believe that these commercial banks have contracts with the South Sudan Revenue Authority that give them the mandate to collect revenue on behalf of the government. Since the Central Bank is here, the services will be brought closer to the grassroots level. My appeal to the Central Bank management is to keep to their vision and mission while doing their business,” he noted.

Nimule border plays a vital role in facilitating trade, commerce and interactions between South Sudan and our regional and international trading partners.