Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Local authorities of Juba City Council in Central Equatoria State of South Sudan intensified its anti-encroachment drive in the city as it dismantled several pavements raised by shopkeepers in Hai Thoura on Saturday to ensure free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
The drive was conducted by the Mayor of Juba City Council with support of police in compliance with what it called “the public order operation.” The drive left more than 15 buildings (verandas) demolished in Hai Thoura. Kallisto Lado Faustino, Mayor of Juba City Council said the demolition of buildings aimed to ensure free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
“The neighborhood has become a commercial center which attracts investments, so it needs an expansion from the main road which was 40 meters according to the original design and plan of the neighborhood,” Lado said during the demolition process on Saturday in Juba.
Lado said removal of unauthorized buildings at roadsides will pave ways for construction of developmental projects such as drinking water, electricity and drainage systems.
“I am informing those traders who had constructed their shops near the roadsides to stop vacating them immediately before we could reach them because any failure to remove your shop will result in demolition,” he said.
He said removing buildings that encroach main roads will help to reduce traffic and control parking of vehicles along the roads. “A lot of people continue to illegally extend their premises to roads. It is within our jurisdiction and constitutional mandate and duty to organize the city neighborhood,” he stated.
