The governor of Central Equatoria State has directed the mayor of Juba City Council and the state’s ministry of roads and bridges to demolish buildings that have been constructed on road reserves and are blocking access.
Governor Emmanuel Adil made the directive while on an inspection visit to the Lou-Gudele-Rock City-Suk Mamur road construction project on Wednesday.
“We believe that it is our strategic direction to make sure all roads in the city are open to create access for movement of goods and services and move to a direction of development of Juba City, he said. “I want to caution some of you who constructed on the road reserves to move away because we shall start demolition. As a government, we have a responsibility to see a modern city where its architectural plan is determined by the government for the next generation. So, for those of you who have encroached on the roads, we are coming for you.”
Governor Adil urged citizens and companies to join hands with the government and participate in the strategic development of the country.
For his part, Juba City Mayor Michael Allajabu said some people have constructed permanent buildings which are blocking the Jebel Lodge, Rock City, and Suk Mamur road sections. He added that opening up the roads will ease traffic congestion in the city.
“This road connects Lou, Gudele, Referendum road, Rock City, and Suk Mamur and we want to see that it is tarmacked because all big trucks will not be allowed to enter the city center but use this road to connect to Referendum-Mangaten and Terekeka road,” he said. “There are people who constructed buildings just after Jebel Lodge and Rock City and we have come here so that the governor and the state ministry of roads and bridges give the city council the mandate to work on this road.”
Juba City motorists and pedestrians have repeatedly complained about traffic hold-ups along the Gudele-Custom road due to poor feeder roads.