Poor roads network exacerbated by heavy rainfalls have impeded the movement of goods and people to the Bahr el Ghazal region, the Chairperson of South Sudan Federation of Bus and Truck Transporters’ Union, Jacob Lueth has lamented.
Lueth said another impediment was insecurity along major roads, making it hard to reach parts of the region with transportation services.
“Generally, roads in South Sudan are in bad condition. It has created for transporters a bad situation to do business. Some vehicles are now stuck for almost one month on Bahr el Ghazal road,” Lueth said.
Speaking to media in his office in Juba on Wednesday, Lueth called on the government to expedite the ongoing road construction to ease the movement of people, goods, and services.
According to Akon Akon Wayi, Chairperson of Greater Bahr el Ghazal Bus and Truck Transporters’ Association, there were over three hundred stranded trucks between Yirol and Rumbek due to bad roads.
“Bahr Nam Bridge is broken and no vehicle from Yirol can cross to Rumbek. Vehicles would have to use Mvolo road as an alternative but cannot because of insecurity. We urge the national government to fix Bahr Nam bridge as soon as possible,” Akon said.
Traders in Tombura County of Western Equatoria State importing goods from Western Bahr el Ghazal State earlier said roads between the two states were impassible, leading to high demand for basic commodities in the area.
Akon said 50 kilograms of maize flour costs 30 000 South Sudanese Pounds in Wau, subject to increase this month if the government fails to repair damaged bridges on major roads leading to Bahr el Ghazal soon.
The Chinese based company, contracted by the government to build Bahr el Ghazal road, began the work early this year but suspended in July due to poor quality service following heavy rain which damaged parts of the construction.