(YEI) – Plans to rehabilitate internal roads in Yei County are underway, following a joint meeting between the County Commissioner, Hon. Emmanuel Taban Seme, and traditional chiefs. The effort is expected to improve access across Yei town and nearby areas, which have been severely affected by infrastructure damage caused by heavy rains.
The Office of the Commissioner confirmed in a statement that the rehabilitation initiative will be carried out with support from international partners, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The destruction of roads and bridges due to consistent rainfall has created serious challenges for both motorists and pedestrians, including schoolchildren who struggle to move around safely. As a result, local authorities have prioritised road cleaning and reconstruction as a key area of intervention.
On Friday, Commissioner Taban met with development partners and community representatives to discuss strategies for cleaning the town’s main roads and mobilising the public for the upcoming works. During the meeting, he urged local leaders to actively engage in raising public awareness about the project.
“Showing readiness to create awareness among the public about the county’s cleanup and road improvement is vital,” the commissioner stated.
Executive Chief Charles Lugala Bashir of Logo Boma, Otogo Payam, expressed strong support for the initiative. He pledged to rally the community to take part in sensitisation efforts and to contribute construction materials without requiring cash payment. Chief Lugala described this contribution as an “in-kind” gesture by the community to support the development of Yei.
Local leaders also called on residents to allow contractors to collect gravel, murram, and other essential raw materials required for grading and spot repairs. County authorities believe that such cooperation will lower costs and accelerate the roadworks once funding and equipment are available.
According to Rose Doru Simbe, Director of Yei Town Payam, UNMISS will lead the actual road repairs within the town, extending the works up to the Yei airstrip.
Civil society leader Justoson Victor welcomed the commissioner’s efforts and commended his persistence in working with UNMISS to improve transport infrastructure in Yei River County.
James Mugo Murihithi, UNMISS team leader in Yei, confirmed that the project is ready to begin as soon as machinery arrives from the mission’s Juba headquarters.
“We are just waiting for some machinery from Juba, and once they arrive, we shall start from the Lutaya office, where the UNMISS base is located, up to the Yei airstrip. We also plan to clean the airstrip after completing the road from Lutaya,” Murihithi said.
Community and UNMISS Roles in Yei Road Rehabilitation
| Stakeholder | Role/Contribution |
|---|---|
| County Commissioner | Oversight and mobilisation of local government |
| Traditional Chiefs | Community sensitisation and in-kind material contribution |
| Local Residents | Cooperation during material collection and road access |
| UNMISS (Yei Team) | Technical and logistical support for road and airstrip rehabilitation |
| Yei Town Payam Office | Coordination between partners and community |
