Authorities in Bor Municipal Council have ordered transport operators to vacate the Bor-Juba Bus Park within seven days, citing plans to redevelop the site for commercial activities.
In a letter dated Aug. 4, Deputy Mayor for Land and Physical Infrastructure William Gatchak Rueh directed the Drivers’ Union and other transport operators to remove their vehicles, offices and other property from the area.
The council said the land had been approved for the construction of shops as part of its urban development and revenue enhancement programme.
The order warned that failure to comply could result in enforcement measures.
The eviction order has prompted calls for dialogue from the Jonglei Civil Society Network, which urged municipal authorities to suspend the ultimatum.
In a letter to Bor Mayor Agoot Alier Leek, the civil society group said the Drivers’ Union had requested an alternative location and warned that forcing operators to leave could increase tensions in the transport sector.
The group’s coordinator, Bol Deng Bol, said dialogue was needed to resolve the dispute.
“We believe that only diplomacy can settle the issue and that the use of force can, on the contrary, worsen the matter,” he said.
The civil society network said it supports the development of Bor town but urged authorities to consult transport operators and agree on an alternative site before carrying out the eviction.
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