Activist voices concern over deteriorating roads in Juba City

By Awan Achiek

A prominent South Sudanese activist and executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, has raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of several roads in the city.

Complaints about potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces have been mounting, with activists expressing worries about the risks they pose to drivers and pedestrians.

Yakani said that the roads have become almost impassable due to deep potholes, making daily movement within the city extremely difficult.

“The status of infrastructure in Juba City Council is deteriorating and is making it difficult to deliver services to the common citizens of this country,” Yakani told the media on Wednesday.

“We have seen some potholes being fixed, but there are still more potholes on Juba City’s roads, and Juba City is the image of the country.”

A human rights defender noted that poor road infrastructure has hindered access to key services such as healthcare, education, and markets.

“If visitors come to Juba City Council and they pass over these potholes, what experience will they have of Juba City Council or about the image of the Republic of South Sudan?” he questioned.

An outspoken activist has called on Juba City Council to maintain and repair the city roads.

“I am appealing to the Lord Mayor and to the leadership of Juba City Council at various levels to take responsibility for improving the infrastructure in the town,” he said.

“We are aware of how many taxes you are collecting each day. We are aware of how aggressive you are in the collection of taxes.”

He urged the authorities of the Juba City Council to use taxpayers’ money to maintain the roads.

“We know these taxes are going into your pockets, but they are supposed to be translated into services for the benefit of the common citizen,” he said.

“We have not yet seen services that are equivalent to the taxes you are collecting from us,” he added.