South Sudanese drivers cry foul after discount of expat license validity to 1 yr – Sudans Post

JUBA-Some sections of South Sudanese drivers on Sunday cried foul after the Department of Traffic Police decreased the validity of expat driving licenses from 5 years to 1 yr.

This adopted a round issued on January 4, 2024, by Maj-Gen Kon John Akot, the director of visitors police, which decreased the period of expat driving permits from 5 years to 1 yr for residents, and 6 months for international drivers.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Sunday, Bus driver, Mr. Emmanuel Junior voiced his considerations in regards to the extra value and inconvenience of yearly license renewals.

“He can’t just write and say what he wants. A driving license lasts for five years for citizens and one year for foreigners. If it is reduced to one year for citizens and six months for aliens, there would be no difference between citizens or foreigners,” Junior stated.

Junior objected to the order, calling it unconstitutional.

“I think this order is not valid, and nobody can renew the license every year because of the economic crisis. I ask the director of traffic police to take the correct action,” he stated.

He said that with a view to resolve the difficulty, they’re enthusiastic about assembly with the top of the visitors police.

“I advise that he revoke the one-year duration for the driving license and follow standard rules used globally, which is five years,” he stated.

Another motorist, Mr. Joseph Redento, said that earlier than such orders are made, they need to be examined and introduced earlier than parliament for approval.

“Orders are for the government’s decision-making; however, it is imperative that any decision before it is taken undergoes thorough analysis and is ultimately presented to the parliament,” stated Redento.

He insisted that the visitors cops cancel the directive.

“We assumed that the country’s circumstances were the reason for the price increases, but reducing the duration of driving licenses is not the right decision,” he lamented.

According to him, driver’s licenses are sometimes legitimate for 3 to 5 years.

“Because you start with a private license and renew to general after three years, and it stays for five years, now I don’t understand this law, and thus we are requesting an explanation on how they reached this,” he stated.

In an effort to minimize the burden on the populace, he inspired the administration to reevaluate the order.

“Let the government alleviate the burden on us, as any attempt to increase non-oil revenue leads to a double burden on the citizens, as revenues do not necessarily equate to filling the national coffers.”

Sections 31 and 32 of the Traffic Act, 2003, which establishes the authorized framework, state {that a} driver’s license could also be granted for a interval of twelve months (1 yr), three years, or 5 years.