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Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
On Saturday, South Sudan’s National Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijak Mijok, conducted a field inspection tour of the roads surrounding Juba International Airport, accompanied by Central Equatoria State Governor, Gen. Rabi Majong Emmanuel, and a number of senior officials. The tour was part of preparations for the commencement of road rehabilitation and beautification works around the airport.
During the tour, Governor Majong reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the transportation network to provide safe and efficient roadways and to upgrade infrastructure in line with international standards, aiming to transform Juba Airport into a modern regional hub.
The tour included inspections of several areas affected by encroachments on road reserves, assessments of the sanitation situation, and discussions on enhancing security and improving access to the airport.
Clement Maring Samuel, Minister of Roads and Bridges for Central Equatoria State, explained that the authorities plan to open alternative roads to ease congestion and address recurring drainage problems.
For his part, David Morbi, the State Minister of Lands, Housing, and Public Utilities, emphasized the need to reclaim illegally encroached roads, calling on affected communities to cooperate with relevant authorities to ensure the project’s success.
In the same context, Engineer John Chol, Undersecretary at the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges, pointed out that many road reserves—originally designed to be 20 meters wide—have been encroached upon. He stressed the necessity of reclaiming these spaces and implementing modern drainage systems to ensure infrastructure efficiency.
Michael Lubuoke Lotiem, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, stated that improving the airport’s surroundings is a crucial step toward meeting international safety requirements. He noted that the current situation, which allows vehicles to pass near aviation facilities, poses a security risk. He also highlighted the worsening of flood problems due to rainwater flowing from the city toward the airport, necessitating the creation of water diversion channels away from the runway area.
At the conclusion of the tour, Juma Musa Michael, Deputy Mayor of Juba for Infrastructure and Environment, emphasized the city council’s role in opening roads and improving sanitation and waste management systems. He urged residents to adhere to proper waste disposal practices to help reduce blockages and flood risks.
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