Kassala: A delegation from the Technical Committee to Prevent Illegal Road Money Collections, led by Mohamed Haj Adam Hassan Al-Tahir, conducted a field inspection tour on Sunday of Al-Laffa border crossing with Eritrea and several collection points along the road linking Kassala and Al-Gadarif states.
According to Sudan News Agency, the inspection included stops at collection points such as Al-Butana Bridge, Al-Mazraa, Al-Shajarab, and Bridge 6. The delegation examined on-site conditions, the functioning of the checkpoints, their mandates, and the types of fees being levied, including national road fees, zakat, customs charges, and anti-smuggling controls. They received briefings on workflow and operations, emphasizing the importance of preventing illegal collections. Responses from officials regarding complaints from citizens and road users were also reviewed.
Committee member Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Al-Shafie stated that the visit allowed the team to assess work procedures at Al-Laffa border crossing between Sudan and Eritrea and to identify issues related to imposed fees. He mentioned that inspection visits will continue to cover all border crossings, with a similar visit planned to Al-Gallabat border crossing with Ethiopia. Dr. Al-Shafie noted that these inspections aim to review approved and illegal fees to facilitate truck movement, ensure the smooth flow of goods, prevent price increases, and reduce costs for citizens, especially given the presence of unapproved charges.
Head of the New Halfa Chamber of Commerce Bahaa El-Din Hassan Abdel-Gadir submitted a memorandum to the committee chairman, outlining complaints and observations regarding collection practices. In a statement to SUNA, he expressed support for the committee's visit and affirmed their full cooperation. He called for harmonization between state and federal laws and a review of local orders imposing fees on essential goods.