Residents Renew Call for Juba-Yei-Kaya Highway Tarmac During VP and Governor’s Visit

(LAINYA / YEI / MOROBO) – Residents of Lainya, Yei River and Morobo counties have renewed calls on Vice President James Wani Igga and Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony to prioritise the tarmacking of the Juba-Lainya-Yei-Kaya Road ahead of the December 2026 general elections.

The appeal comes as Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga and Governor Adil are on an official visit to Yei River County this week. Residents say they hope their concerns will reach the two senior leaders before they conclude their visit.

Michael Taban Eresto, a resident of Lainya County, said the poor state of the road and its bridges continues to disrupt the movement of people, goods and services across the southern parts of Central Equatoria State.

“This historic road was a major liberation route during South Sudan’s struggle for independence. We are asking Vice President James Wani Igga and Governor Emmanuel Adil to ensure that the Juba-Lainya-Yei-Morobo-Kaya road is considered for tarmacking” he said.

Likambu Moses, a resident of Yei Town, expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in upgrading the highway, saying the situation has left many citizens feeling neglected years after South Sudan gained independence.

“This road played a significant role during the liberation struggle and remains one of the country’s most important transport corridors. We urge our leaders, especially Vice President Wani Igga and Governor Adil, to convey our message to the President and the national government that we need this road tarmacked like other major roads in South Sudan” he said.

Moses noted that the highway is strategically important for trade and economic activities, linking South Sudan with neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Margret Asa Tadeyo, a resident of Morobo County, said traders and travellers continue to face challenges accessing essential services in Yei and Juba because of the deteriorating road conditions.

“We were informed that this road would be upgraded to asphalt standard and even bush clearance was undertaken, but since then nothing has happened. We have waited for years to see this road developed. Our message to the President and the country’s leadership is that we want a tarmac road from Juba all the way to Kaya border town” she said.

According to Asa, construction of the road would restore public confidence in government service delivery while boosting economic growth and regional connectivity.

Speaking to residents in Lainya County last Friday, Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony acknowledged concerns over the state of the highway and said responsibility for its permanent construction lies with the national government.

“The road project falls under the national government. Plans have already been made to tarmac the road from Juba to Kaya and from Yei to Maridi, but as you know, our country has faced many challenges” Adil said.

The governor added that the state government has initiated rehabilitation work on some of the worst sections of the road instead of waiting for a full construction project.

“We decided not to wait. Rehabilitation works started and reached Bungu. When resources become available, we will continue filling the bad spots up to Yei. I have personally seen the poor condition of the road and together with the State Minister of Roads and Bridges, Abbas Latio, we will continue working to improve it” he added.

Attempts by Access Radio to obtain a response from Vice President James Wani Igga regarding the residents’ concerns were unsuccessful by the time of publication.

The national government has previously announced plans to upgrade the Juba-Lainya-Yei-Kaya Road as part of efforts to improve connectivity between Juba and key border towns, while facilitating trade with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.