State Government Suspends Unapproved Road Construction Works in Juba (AUDIO)

(JUBA) – The High Level Committee set up by President Salva Kiir to manage land issues and informal settlements in Juba has stopped all road construction in the Lokwilili residential area. The decision follows concerns about roads being opened without proper authorisation.

The meeting took place on Wednesday at the State Secretariat in Juba. It was led by Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, Governor of Central Equatoria State and co-chaired by Hon. Michael Chiangjiek, Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development.

Members of the Land Committee, local residents, technical surveyors from the State Department of Survey, the State Minister of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities, the Commissioner of Juba County and the Mayor of Juba City Council also attended.

Discussions focused on the unauthorised road works. Eng. Louis Kwot, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, told journalists that the committee decided to stop all road construction immediately. He added that the State government will now allocate plots to the rightful owners and open roads according to official survey maps.

Eng. Kwot explained that the decision followed a letter from the National Government in September 2025, which had allowed some road construction.:

“The High Level Committee has revoked that letter and told everyone on the ground to stop work immediately.”

Hon. David Morbe, State Minister of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities, said all security agencies in the area would enforce the order. He pointed out that Lokwilili was officially marked in 2009 and that the recent construction was not reported to the ministry.

He called the unauthorised work an act that went against the ministry’s responsibility”

“Some groups opened roads and demolished houses outside the approved plan,” Hon. Morbe said. “Residents asked the State Government to act, and this led to our intervention. We have suspended the road work to prevent conflict and fully informed the residents during the meeting.”

The state government press unit CESGPU said the committee’s decision is aimed at restoring order in Lokwilili and making sure that all development follows the official survey and planning framework.