Unfinished Yei Airstrip Lounge Sparks Public Frustration

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Frequent air travelers using Yei Airstrip are expressing disappointment over the prolonged delay in completing the passenger waiting lounge, saying the unfinished structure continues to affect the image and functionality of the town’s air transport facility.

Yei, a key commercial and tourism hub in South Sudan that borders Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, relies on the airstrip as an important gateway for business people, visitors, and humanitarian workers. However, travellers say the lack of a completed passenger lounge has left them exposed to harsh weather conditions and inadequate facilities.

Speaking to Access Radio on condition of anonymity, one traveller said passengers faced difficulties when rain fell while they were waiting for a flight.

“We arrived early and rain caught us at the airstrip. The small shelter could not accommodate travellers and airport workers. We call on the county and state governments to complete the waiting lounge and create a conducive environment for passengers,” he said.

Another traveller, identified only as Mary, questioned why the project remains incomplete despite revenue reportedly generated from aircraft landings at the airstrip.

“We have been informed that a plane pays about 200 US dollars when it lands here. We want to know where this money is going. The government should take action and complete this building,” she said.

Residents living near the airstrip have also voiced concern over the stalled project. Richard Alhaj, a community member from Gimunu area, said local residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the unfinished structure but have seen little progress.

“We do not understand why the government has not completed this building. We have spoken about it many times, but nobody has listened to our concerns. For now, we are simply watching,” he said.

According to Alhaj, the unfinished facility has been left vulnerable to animals and birds, further highlighting the need for urgent intervention.

In response to growing public concerns, the Director of Physical Infrastructure in Yei River County, Lugala Richard Godo, recently told Access Radio that his office would undertake a comprehensive assessment of the project. He said consultations with relevant stakeholders would be conducted to establish why construction stalled.

“I will consult with the people concerned to understand what happened during the project and why it stalled at its current stage,” Lugala said. “As the Director of Physical Infrastructure, it is not acceptable to leave such an important public facility incomplete.”

The passenger lounge project was launched in 2021 after authorities in the former Yei River State allocated USD 60,000 for its construction. The building was designed to accommodate up to 60 passengers. Despite initial progress, work on the facility has remained unfinished for several years.

In 2022, the Central Equatoria State Government approved an additional 10 million South Sudanese Pounds for the rehabilitation of the airstrip runway and related infrastructure. The same year, Yei River County received a broader development budget of 160.5 million SSP to support roads, schools, health facilities, government offices, and airstrip improvements.

Most recently, in 2025, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) upgraded run way and the road connecting Yei town to the airstrip, improving access to the facility.

Despite these investments, residents and travellers say the incomplete passenger lounge remains a visible reminder of stalled development and are calling on authorities to prioritise its completion in order to improve services and enhance Yei’s reputation as a regional commercial and tourism centre.