More than 20 trucks loaded with essential food and nonfood items destined for Yei River County in Central Equatoria are stranded and stuck on the Yei-Kaya road for the last several months. 

Edward Luba, the chairperson of the Yei Chamber of Commerce told Radio Tamazuj that the commercial trucks loaded with goods could not reach Yei town due to poor road networks linking South Sudan to neighboring Uganda.

Luba urges the national and state governments to ensure rehabilitation of the 46 miles highway to ease the movement of people and transportation of goods to boost trade among communities badly affected by the economic and covid-19 crisis.

“I found over 25 trucks stuck on the road from Gulumbi to Kanga and also Payawa stranded on other worse spots on the road for the last two weeks and us traders, the government has been collecting taxes from us and where is the money going and we want the road repaired because it is a loss and a burden to the traders here,” he appealed.

Edward stressed that if the road is repaired, it will reduce the increasing cost of goods and services as well as business and economic recovery.

“If the road is good trucks can come from Koboko, Uganda and reach Yei in only one day and there will be an inflow of goods and prices of goods will drastically drop. Currently, traders and hiring motorcycles to bring goods in small quantities to Yei at a high cost,” he added.

Recently traders and passengers in Yei town decried the poor conditions of the road making it impassable for movement and trade.

The 46 miles long Yei-Kaya road connecting South Sudan to neighboring Uganda falls under the responsibility and care of the national Government.