The Yei Electricity Cooperative (YECO) has begun installing electricity poles along major streets in Yei Town, raising hopes among residents that electricity will soon return after years of outages.
The installation follows earlier assurances by YECO Board Chairperson Richard Lugala Godo that technical assessments had been completed and that work would begin once materials, including network poles, arrived in Yei.
Residents said YECO workers were on Thursday erecting poles along several routes, including the Police Station–Sobe road, as part of efforts to restore the town’s power network.
The development was welcomed by residents, who said the return of electricity would improve security, support businesses and expand access to communication services.
Proscovia Amude, a resident of Jigomoni, told Radio Tamazuj that street lighting could help curb crime by reducing opportunities for theft during the night.
“They are already installing the poles, and I am quite sure it is going to help the community by reducing crime at night when thieves often take advantage of the darkness to steal,” she said.
Charles Taban, a resident of Sobe, urged YECO to accelerate the project ahead of South Sudan’s planned elections in December, saying reliable electricity would improve internet connectivity and communication.
“I really appreciate their efforts in installing the electricity poles. They should speed up the work because time is running out. It should be ready before October because we will need power and reliable internet during the elections,” he said.
In Lomuku Two, resident Emmwe Ekweja said the restoration of electricity would help revive businesses that had struggled during the prolonged blackout while also improving the security of shops and other property.
Franko Dinya, a resident of Hai Nyakama, said electricity would create opportunities for young entrepreneurs operating businesses such as phone-charging stations, salons and other small enterprises that depend on power.
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