JUBA – The South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) conducted its first-ever market inspection in Juba’s New Site on Wednesday, confiscating an unspecified quantity of expired food and non-food items from traders.
John Nicodemus, Deputy Director of the SSNBS Department of Metrology, told reporters during the inspection that confiscated items included expired cement, curry powder, tobacco, and other products.
The action followed a four-day awareness campaign aimed at ensuring market compliance with safety standards and regulations.
The inspection also targeted faulty weighing scales, with some scheduled for repair and return to their owners.
“This is the first of its kind,” said Nicodemus. “We want people to know that the Bureau exists and is concerned about public safety, especially regarding imported goods. We inspect goods at checkpoints, entry points, and even within the markets.”
Nicodemus acknowledged initial challenges in accessing New Site due to its designation as a military zone.
However, he noted that a letter from the SSNBS to the Ministry of Defense granted them permission to conduct the inspection.
The broader inspection exercise by the SSNBS targets factories, supermarkets, shops, stores, slaughterhouses, and other businesses across Juba.