Sudan’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Saif al-Nasr al-Tijani Haroun, has warned that delays in port operations directly harm the economy and people’s livelihoods.
During an inspection visit Tuesday to specialized facilities in Port Sudan, the minister said he would raise operational challenges with the Cabinet and stressed the need to strengthen the Sea Ports Authority’s jurisdiction, particularly over land and facilities inside the Green Port.
Sea Ports Authority Director-General Eng. al-Jilani Mohamed Jilani said delays in unloading were largely due to overlapping institutional mandates and multiple decision-making centers. He noted that four ships, including relief vessels, were currently awaiting clearance after the Standards Authority flagged moisture-damaged cargo.
The minister directed that land under the control of other entities inside the Green Port be returned to the state to improve efficiency. Officials added that the local port community holds the administration accountable for any failures, underscoring the importance of empowering the authority to manage operations free of bureaucratic hurdles.
Haroun said the inspection marked the beginning of administrative and operational reforms designed to boost performance, streamline imports and exports, and strengthen the national economy.
