Mujung Leads Road Inspection Around Juba Airport Ahead of Works

(JUBA) – Governor of Central Equatoria State, Lieutenant General Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, on Saturday led a high level inspection of roads surrounding Juba International Airport ahead of a major reconstruction and beautification programme.

The Governor was joined by the national Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijak Mijok, along with other senior state and national officials.

The visit was aimed at addressing concerns over safety, accessibility  and compliance with international aviation standards, as Juba seeks to position its airport as a modern regional hub.

The inspection focused on road encroachment, drainage, security and the overall ease of movement for vehicles around the airport. Clement Maring Samuel, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Roads and Bridges, explained that alternative access routes will be opened in order to ease congestion and deal with drainage challenges.

David Morbe, the State Minister of Lands, Housing and Public Utilities, emphasised that roads illegally occupied by residents or businesses will be reclaimed. He urged affected communities to cooperate with authorities in order to make way for the planned developments.

John Chol, Undersecretary in the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges, noted that several road reserves around the airport had been narrowed over time due to encroachment. Originally designed to be 20 metres wide, these spaces have now been reduced, creating both traffic and safety challenges. He stressed the importance of reclaiming the reserved areas and installing proper drainage systems.

Michael Lopuke Lotyam, Chairperson of the Board of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority, said that the broader aviation goal is to upgrade Juba International Airport to international standards. He pointed out that vehicles currently pass too close to air traffic facilities, which raises safety concerns.

He further noted that flooding remains a serious challenge, with most stormwater from Juba City flowing into the airport premises. To address this, he proposed the construction of canals to divert water away from the runway area.

Juba City Council’s Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure and Environment, Juma Moses Michael, explained the Council’s role in opening new roads, improving drainage and ensuring waste management. He called on city residents to take greater responsibility for disposing of waste properly, warning that poor disposal practices worsen flooding by blocking drainage channels.