Residents, Travelers Demand Completion of Passenger Lounge at Yei Airstrip

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Residents and travelers in Yei River County are urging state and county authorities to complete the long-delayed construction of a modern passenger waiting lounge at Yei Airstrip.

Peter Malish, a resident of Marakonye Village, expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the unfinished structure, warning that it risks collapse if urgent action is not taken.

“The building is rapidly deteriorating due to heavy rainfall and constant exposure to the sun,” Malish said. “Parts of the roof are already rotting and bending. If nothing is done soon, it could collapse.”

Malish noted that the community initially welcomed the project, which began several years ago, with high expectations. Many local residents were employed during its early stages.

“When the project started, we were very happy. Some of us even worked as builders and we believed it would improve the appearance of the airstrip,” he said. “But up to now, it remains incomplete, which is disappointing.”

Another resident, Charity Jokudu, also called on the government to prioritize the project, describing it as a vital facility for both locals and visitors.

“This was meant to be an important development for the people of Yei and travelers,” Jokudu said. “It is unfortunate that such a promising project has stalled. We urge the government to allocate resources and complete this public facility.”

Frequent traveler Moses Arike echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the importance of the lounge as a reflection of Yei town.

“That building represents Yei to anyone arriving or leaving by air,” Arike said. “Passengers pay fees about 1,000 South Sudanese Pounds per person and aircraft operators pay around 100 dollars per landing. These revenues should help complete this building.”

Efforts to reach officials from the Department of Physical Infrastructure in Yei for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

The passenger lounge project dates back to 2021, when authorities in the former Yei River State allocated 60,000 US dollars for its construction. The facility was designed to accommodate up to 60 passengers but has since been delayed despite initial progress.

In 2022, the Central Equatoria State government approved an additional 10 million South Sudanese Pounds to support the rehabilitation of the airstrip runway and related infrastructure. That same year, Yei River County received a broader development budget of 160.5 million SSP (approximately 343,683 USD) for projects including roads, health facilities, schools, government buildings, and improvements to the airstrip.

The then State Minister of Finance, Hon. Wani Tom Sebit, indicated that these funds would support key infrastructure development across the region.

More recently, in 2025, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) upgraded the road linking Yei town to the airstrip, improving access to the facility.

Despite these investments, residents say the incomplete passenger lounge remains a symbol of stalled development and are calling for renewed commitment to ensure its completion.