The Chamber of Exporters calls for an investigation committee from the Attorney General regarding the sinking of the livestock ship

The National Chamber of Exporters called for an impartial investigation committee from the Public Prosecutor into the causes of the sinking of the ship Badr 1 loaded with 15,800 head of sheep at Suakin Port destined for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its losses were estimated at about 14 million Saudi riyals, equivalent to about 2 trillion Sudanese pounds.

The head of the National Chamber of Exporters, Mr. Omar Bashir Khalifa, said in a press conference held by the Chamber today in the Chamber of Commerce Tower, that the ship sank near the berth, 13 meters away, and it could have been saved, and this did not happen, blaming the export partners of the responsibility (Sea Ports / Ministry of Animal Wealth / Bank of Sudan / Customs) in the event of the sinking of the ship.

He pointed out that there was a malfunction in the air-conditioning fans in a livestock ship five years ago, and 50% of it died, and when it was returned to Suakin, 90% of it was tunnelled, stressing not to benefit from past mistakes by the quality of work and not to repeat it, pointing out that the source played its role, starting from breeding until the livestock reached the gates of the port.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the National Chamber of Exporters, Mr. Mamoun Ibrahim Kili, said that the issue of the sinking of the ship is a macroeconomic issue, calling for an investigation committee from the Attorney General, stressing the importance of accountability and bearing responsibility and compensation for losses, stressing the role of the private sector with the public sector in developing the national economy.

For his part, Saleh Salah Saleh, head of the Livestock Exporters Division at the National Chamber of Exporters, said that yesterday morning the ship Badr 1 was shipped to four export companies: Saleh Saeed’s business, number 4,575 sheep, Mohammed Al-Saleem business, number 3 thousand, 30 sheep, and Afaf Shams business, 5 thousand 392 heads, Al Bayouda works, 2,861 and a total of 15,858 heads of sheep, noting that the value of the shipment is about 14 million Saudi riyals, equivalent to 2 trillion Sudanese pounds. It failed, expressing his regret for what happened, stressing the importance of holding each of the minors accountable, and calling for a neutral committee to investigate the facts and hold accountable those who fell short and neglected in the sinking of the ship.

He pointed out that the ship Badr 1 was called Malak five years ago and was carrying 9,500 heads of sheep, then it stopped for a period of time and then came now to carry 15,800, wondering whether the ship had increased decks? And he said, “We are in the process of addressing the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice and asking for a neutral investigation committee, pointing out the importance of the role of the National Agency for Export Insurance in compensating these losses.”

He said that 700 heads of sheep had been recovered from the ship, but that it was in a critical condition that may have led to its death.

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