Leading Regional Trade Agency TradeMark Africa has this morning handed over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth US$ 110,000 to the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to boost war against Covid19.
The equipment provided includes hand sanitizers, hand washing stations, liquid hand washing soap, infrared thermometers, re-usable safety boots, full protective PPE, filtering full face respirators, reusable masks, plastic face shields, disposable gloves, hand sanitiser dispensers and disinfectant spray bottles.
The equipment is expected to slow down infections and protect the lives of public officials, traders and citizens of South Sudan and was received on behalf of the government by Under Secretary for EAC Affairs, Mou Mou Athian. Other leaders at the event included Commissioner General of South Sudan National Revenue Authority Dr. Patrick Mugoya, Director General for Customs Gen Ayii Akol and EAC Youth and Women Ambassador for South Sudan.
Speaking at the event, EAC Under Secretary noted that it is critical for South Sudan to continue having strong vigilance and protection against the virus, owing to its huge social economic disruption trends world over.
“The PPE we have received from TradeMark Africa could not have come at a more opportune time. Whereas as a government we have made concerted efforts to minimize infections across the country, the re-emergence of the disease in parts of the continent as well as new strains of the virus continue to pose a big threat to the health of our populations. We must double efforts in order to protect the health and livelihoods of our people” said Mou Mou.
On his part the Commissioner General of South Sudan National Revenue Authority Dr. Patrick Mugoya emphasized the critical role the Nimule border point plays for the economy of South Sudan. “This border is very key due to the amount of trade volumes it controls. We are keen to enhance and protect both government workers and traders in order to foster both our economy as well as revenue collection” said the Commissioner General.
The equipment presented today will enhance the safety and working conditions of front-line workers at the Nimule Border, the crossing point between South Sudan and Uganda and which controls an estimated 90% of international trade in South Sudan.
TradeMark Africa Country Representative John Bosco Kalisa stressed the need for all actors in government, private and non-government sectors to act in concerted and co-ordinated effort for greater impact in containing the Pandemic.
“As we witnessed last year, the challenges posed by Covid19 are first health-related, then immediately economic in terms of their negative impact on the social-economic standards of our people. In order to protect trade and livelihoods, TradeMark will continue working with the Government of South Sudan to address challenges posed by Covid19 on trade as well as other other trade barriers.” noted the Country Representative.
The TMA Country Representative further revealed that the equipment donated today is part of the Safe Trade Emergency Facility, a US$ 23 million emergency program rolled out by TradeMark Africa in the East African region in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic that seeks to ensure regional economies continue to trade in a safe way, while curbing cross-border infections. The Trade Agency is also supporting several trade infrastructure projects as well as inclusive trade programs in South Sudan.
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“The PPE we have received from TradeMark East Africa could not have come at a more opportune time. Whereas as a government we have made concerted efforts to minimize infections across the country, the re-emergence of the disease in parts of the continent as well as new strains of the virus continue to pose a big threat to the health of our populations. We must double efforts in order to protect the health and livelihoods of our people” said Mou Mou.
