Juba City Council Demolishes Roadside Structures in Hai Malakal to Ease Traffic Congestion

By Jenifer James

Juba City Council has begun demolishing structures encroaching on road reserves in Hai Malakal. This action enforces an order issued after a two-month public notice, as authorities move to ease traffic congestion and improve road access in the capital.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday following the demolition exercise, Deputy Mayor for Social Services and Infrastructure Development Wol Mathok Diing stated that the operation followed public announcements made over the previous two months.

During this period, authorities identified and marked buildings obstructing road reserves.

“After giving the announcement two months ago, today we are here to implement the order by demolishing the buildings that have encroached on the roads,” Wol said.

He explained that the exercise was specifically intended to address severe traffic congestion in Juba, particularly around Konyo Konyo Market, where heavy pedestrian and market activity has made movement extremely difficult.

“The roads of Konyo Konyo cannot accommodate the people because of the market and the lack of organization. We thought of opening the roads,” he said.

Wol clarified that city authorities would remove all structures built on road reserves, warning that both temporary and permanent buildings were subject to the order.

Owners of permanent structures, he added, had been given three days to remove their buildings.

“For the permanent buildings, we have given them three days to remove them. We will continue implementing this order,” he said.

Wol cautioned residents against constructing buildings on road reserves, emphasizing that the demolition exercise would continue as authorities implement the order across the city.

“We are warning those who build on the roads and encroach on them. Whether you build a temporary or permanent structure, we will demolish it. We will not stop; we will continue implementing the order,” Wol reiterated.