Yei Prepares to Launch Road Renovation in Joint Effort With UNMISS

(Yei) – A coordinated initiative between Yei River County authorities, traditional leaders and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is set to kick start the rehabilitation of internal roads across Yei town and its surrounding areas, following years of deterioration caused by heavy rainfall.

The plan was confirmed after a recent meeting led by County Commissioner Hon. Emmanuel Taban Seme and attended by chiefs and community representatives. According to a statement from the Commissioner’s office, the initiative is a collaborative effort involving local leadership and international partners, primarily UNMISS.

Over the years, Yei’s roads and bridges have been severely damaged by seasonal rains, creating major obstacles for schoolchildren, pedestrians, motorists and public transport operators. The lack of passable roads has also affected the movement of goods and services within the county.

Last Friday, stakeholders agreed on immediate actions to begin cleaning key routes within the town and to mobilise community support ahead of broader roadworks. Commissioner Taban urged traditional leaders to raise awareness about the cleanup and rehabilitation project and engage citizens fully in the process.

“Showing readiness to create awareness among the public about the county’s cleanup and road improvement is vital,” said Commissioner Taban during the engagement.

Executive Chief Charles Lugala Bashir of Logo Boma, Otogo Payam, committed to mobilising his community to participate actively in the project. He further announced that local chiefs had agreed to contribute construction materials without requiring cash compensation, describing the gesture as a form of in-kind community support.

Local leaders have appealed to residents to grant contractors unimpeded access to gravel, murram, and other key road construction materials. According to county officials, such cooperation will significantly reduce operational costs and enable faster progress once the necessary equipment and funding are available.

Rose Doru Simbe, the Director for Yei Town Payam, confirmed that UNMISS will oversee the rehabilitation work, beginning with roads within the town and extending to the Yei airstrip.

Civil society actor Justoson Victor praised the Commissioner for working with UNMISS to prioritise road improvement in the county. He noted that infrastructure development is a necessary step toward community recovery and accessibility.

UNMISS team leader in Yei, James Mugo Murihithi, said machinery is being awaited from Juba headquarters before work officially begins. Once delivered, construction will start at the Lutaya office near the UNMISS base and extend to the Yei airstrip, including a planned clean up of the airstrip itself.

The initiative represents a hopeful development for Yei, where inadequate infrastructure has long hampered daily life. Though no budget details have been released, the contribution of materials by the local community and operational support from UNMISS are expected to reduce overall costs.