Wuluturu Bridge Not a Culvert, Says Yei County

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Office of the Commissioner of Yei River County has issued a clarification following public debate and social media discussions about the recently launched bridge works at Wuluturu stream in the southern part of Yei town.

In a press release issued by the County Press Unit, the county administration said claims that the newly launched structure at Wuluturu is merely an old culvert are incorrect. The statement said the photographs circulating on social media showing metal culverts were taken from earlier works and do not represent the full plan for the Wuluturu crossing.

The county said its intention is to construct a strong bridge structure rather than simply repair or reinstall culverts. Officials explained that the launch at Wuluturu stream was part of a wider county response to repeated public calls for improved access across streams that frequently disrupt movement, trade, and service delivery during the rainy season.

According to the county administration, Wuluturu is not the only site included in the programme. Work started last year at Kanjoro stream, followed by Wuluturu, with New Side stream identified as the next location. The rehabilitation of stream crossings forms part of the county’s broader strategy to improve connectivity among communities and stakeholders and to ease access to basic services.

The county noted that while the current structure at Wuluturu is not intended to be a permanent bridge, it will be stronger and safer than previous crossings. Officials said the construction of a fully permanent bridge requires substantial funding, which is not currently available to the county. However, the interim structure is designed to significantly improve safety and reliability compared to earlier installations.

The Yei River County engineering department has already carried out technical assessments at the Wuluturu site. These assessments focused on load bearing capacity to ensure the structure can safely support expected traffic, as well as material durability to withstand weather conditions and seasonal flooding over time.

County authorities said these technical considerations are essential to ensure the bridge serves residents effectively while the county continues to plan for more permanent infrastructure solutions in the future.

In its concluding remarks, the county administration reaffirmed the commitment of the Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, to strategic leadership, responsible use of public funds, and close engagement with communities. The statement said the commissioner remains focused on setting a clear development vision, managing county budgets, improving infrastructure such as roads and health facilities, overseeing county personnel, and representing the interests of residents at all levels of government.

The county leadership also called on the public to rely on official information channels and to engage constructively as development projects are implemented across Yei River County.

Streams Included in the County Bridge Rehabilitation Plan