Yei County Leaders Have Failed on Roads [OPINION]

Opinion on the Poor Road Conditions in Yei County
By Taban Andrew John

As a concerned citizen of Yei County, I am deeply troubled by the worsening state of our road networks, especially the Yei-Lasu, Yei-Ombaci and Morobo-Koboko (Uganda) routes. These roads are vital economic lifelines that connect our people to food, markets, health care, education and income opportunities, while also generating crucial revenue for the county.

Sadly, the deterioration of these roads has dragged Yei back to conditions similar to those of 1997. Bridges over small rivers and streams remain broken or neglected, leaving communities cut off and traders unable to transport goods. This raises an urgent question: if county revenue is being collected, why is such essential infrastructure left to collapse?

Good roads are the backbone of development. They ease access to services, strengthen trade and boost agriculture. The ongoing neglect of these critical routes not only slows down our progress but also increases the daily suffering of ordinary citizens.

I appreciate the efforts of UNMISS South Sudan, which has stepped in to support Yei town and reduce some of the burden. However, it must be made clear that road rehabilitation is the responsibility of our state government and county authorities. External partners can support, but they cannot and should not replace the duty of our elected leaders.

I therefore urge the state government and Yei County leadership to urgently prioritise road repairs and bridge reconstruction. A transparent plan for the use of county revenue must be put in place to ensure regular road maintenance. We cannot stand by as our infrastructure crumbles while our people continue to bear the heaviest cost in poverty and lost opportunities.

It is time to restore dignity to Yei County by building roads that connect people, not isolate them.

Taban Andrew John is a citizen of Yei County and a regular commentator on local governance and community development.

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