Locals Offer Free Materials for Yei Road Project

(YEI) – Authorities in Yei River County have confirmed that a major road rehabilitation initiative is set to begin in the town centre, with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The project aims to upgrade internal roads and improve accessibility, especially during the rainy season.

On 18 July 2025, County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme met with local chiefs to discuss the details of the project. The chiefs pledged their full support, offering community based assistance such as the provision of gravel, marrum and labour, along with mobilising residents for civic awareness and ownership of the project.

Commissioner Taban welcomed the chiefs’ commitment, urging for unity and cooperation to ensure success. He emphasised the need for public awareness, saying, “We want you to show readiness by creating awareness among the public” about the county’s clean up and road rehabilitation efforts.

Executive Chief Charles Lugala Bashir of Logo Boma said the chiefs would sensitise their communities to collaborate with the construction partners. He added that local leaders had agreed to provide key construction materials such as gravel and marrum at no cost, describing the move as a community contribution to Yei’s development.

“We are appealing to residents to allow contractors to operate freely when collecting gravel, marrum and other raw materials needed for grading and spot repairs,” Lugala said.

Officials say the voluntary contributions from local communities will significantly lower costs and speed up construction once funding and machinery are available.

Yei Town Payam Director, Rose Doru Simbe, confirmed that UNMISS will be leading the physical work on the road upgrades, including routes extending to Yei Airstrip. She noted that construction materials will be sourced from Ronyi Boma, Gimunu Boma, Jansuk, and other nearby locations to save both time and money.

While no official start date has been set, the county government says planning meetings with UNMISS are in their final stages and that work plans are nearly complete.

The push to repair Yei’s internal roads follows months of public complaints. On 21 June 2025, residents appealed to local authorities to take urgent action. Many cited worsening road conditions during the rainy season, which they say severely disrupt daily life.

Roads throughout Yei town have become riddled with potholes and prone to flooding, affecting both pedestrians and motorists. Residents say the poor infrastructure not only hampers movement but also impacts health and safety.

Mary Nyoka, a mother of five from Gabat neighbourhood, highlighted how the poor road conditions are affecting families.

“If you come to my area, especially around Hai Nyakama Road, you will see a lot of potholes. The county or state government should fix this so that mothers and children can move easily without trouble,” she said.

The rehabilitation project is expected to improve local transport and trade links, contributing to Yei’s broader post conflict recovery and aligning with wider efforts to improve infrastructure across South Sudan.