Analyst Calls for Durable Roads and Greater Accountability

(JUBA) – A South Sudanese policy and political analyst is calling on the government to prioritise durable road infrastructure and strengthen accountability in public spending.

Boboya James Edmon, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Social Policy, says poor road construction practices are undermining development and wasting scarce public resources. In a press Statement extended to Access Radio on Wednesday, Edmon criticized the quality of an ongoing road project in Juba’s Referendum area, describing its drainage system and engineering design as inadequate and unsuitable for long-term use.

He urged the government to adopt higher standards for road construction, arguing that well-built roads are essential for economic growth, trade, public safety, and improved service delivery. He noted that reliable road networks can lower transport costs, support businesses, improve sanitation services, and enhance community connectivity.

Edmon also raised concerns over transparency in funding for some infrastructure projects, questioning how certain road works are being financed while the national budget remains pending approval. He called for greater accountability, public participation, and anti-corruption measures in infrastructure development.

The analyst appealed directly to President Salva Kiir to champion a national policy focused on durable and economically impactful roads, saying infrastructure remains key to addressing South Sudan’s economic challenges and promoting long-term prosperity.

Edmon concluded by urging government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to work together to ensure infrastructure investments deliver lasting benefits for the people of South Sudan.