Arrangements are ongoing to reopen the Juba-Pibor road for traders after two months suspension over insecurity fears, authorities said.
Pibor town was hit by a commodity shortage as the Juba-Pibor road closed in mid-January over insecurity forcing the business people to resort to Eastern Equatoria routes for supplies.
But speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Akim Abeyo, the acting Pibor town mayor, said the road will reopen in the coming weeks.
“During our last week’s meeting with a national police delegation, they agreed to provide security along the Juba-Pibor road either through stationed forces or escort,” he said. “This will help in not only allowing commodity supplies but also ensure the safety of nationals plying the road.”
The Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) local government minister, Peter Simon, called on Pibor residents to remain calm and peacefully coexist as they prepare for the resumption.
For his part, Zechariah Nyiboy, the head of the GPAA Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the planned reopening after two months saying that it will help stabilize the prevailing market price.
“We are happy with the move taken by our government. This means that goods which sell at 35,000 SSP because of the cost incurred due to a long hauling distance will drop to 28,000 SSP,” he said.