CNI News
2 Oct 2022
Amid armed clashes, the number of freight trucks travelling to Sagaing Region in upper Myanmar has dropped and only those based in the region are providing freight services, according to Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Service Entrepreneurs Association and truck drivers.
As some buses and freight trucks were attacked and authorities have imposed restrictions on some commodities in the region, freight transportation services and truck drivers refused to transport goods to Sagaing Region, Ko Khin Maung Myint, a highway freight truck driver, told the CNI.
“Truck drivers based in the region are still providing freight transportation services. Those from other states and regions do not travel to Sagaing because it is very dangerous for them and searches along the roads have intensified. Moreover, they do not know which commodities are restricted. In Monywa and Shwebo, restrictions have been imposed on travelling hours,” he said.
As there are few freight trucks travelling to Sagaing Region, merchants are not able to transport goods in time and have faced difficulties and stopped trading with the region.
Therefore, there might be shortages of commodities in the region, according to an official from MHFTSEA.
“Truck drivers do not want to go to Sagaing. There is no problem for them as they can go to other states and regions. However, merchants who are trading with the region have problems because the foodstuffs they send to the regions cannot be delivered in time. As merchants have problems, there may be shortages of foodstuffs in the region,” he told the CNI.
Currently, authorities have intensified searches in Sagaing Region and Myiek and Dawei in Tanintharyi Region. Sometimes truck drivers are forced to pay bribes at some checkpoints, according to a highway bus driver.
“Of course, there are concerns. We cannot travel peacefully during the conflicts. Currently, situation has deteriorated in Sagaing and Monywa. Authorities have intensified in lower parts of Myanmar like Myeik and Dawei. However, checkpoints I have to pass do not search vehicles but they ask for bribes, “ he told the CNI.
Armed conflicts have frequently broken out between the Tatmadaw and local PDFs in Shwebo, Depayin, Taze, Minkin and Kanni townships in Sagaing Region and sometimes freight trucks and passenger buses were stuck in armed conflicts.
