Wuluturu Community Welcomes Bridge Construction

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Authorities in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State have launched the long awaited construction of the Wuluturu bridge, a project residents say will restore access to essential services after years of disruption.

The bridge construction was officially launched on Monday morning, marking a major step towards reconnecting communities in the Wuluturu area with Yei town. Residents had earlier told Access Radio that the old bridge collapsed nearly ten years ago, leaving the area cut off from health services, schools, markets and other basic needs.

Speaking at the project site, the County Executive Director, Hillary Konga, said the bridge is expected to be completed within three months. He said the total cost of the project is SSP 109,000,000, which is equivalent to about $15,352 at the current market rate.

Konga said the project is fully funded by the county government using revenue collected from local taxes. He added that implementation and supervision will be carried out by the county department responsible for housing, land, roads and bridges.

He said the aim of the project is to return services to the people using resources raised from the community. Konga noted that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that roads and bridges are built to improve access and support daily life for residents.

Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme said the launch of the bridge construction shows that the concerns of the people have been heard and that action is now being taken to address challenges affecting the area. He thanked residents of Wuluturu and community leaders for their patience and resilience over the years.

The commissioner said the bridge will improve movement, boost production and enhance security in Wuluturu and surrounding areas. He said once completed, the bridge will make it easier for school children, pregnant women, farmers and other residents to cross the stream safely. He added that the county government remains committed to delivering services despite the economic difficulties facing South Sudan.

A resident of Wuluturu, Alison Ladu, welcomed the start of construction and thanked the county government for responding to the long standing concerns of the community. He said the broken bridge had caused serious challenges, especially during heavy rains, and that lives had been lost over the years due to the poor crossing.

Alison said previous county administrations failed to repair the bridge, even during earlier administrative periods. He praised the current leadership for prioritising the project and urged the government to ensure the work is done properly and completed within the agreed timeframe.

He added that quality construction is important because rising water levels often damage bridge structures. He said successful completion of the project would help restore public trust in government funded projects.

County authorities said several other bridges in Yei River County are still awaiting permanent construction. These include Hai Dam bridge, Hai Mission bridge and New Site bridge along the main road leading towards the residence of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Yei town.

Wuluturu bridge project overview