The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the government of Western Equatoria State have initiated plans to repair the Kuyongo Bridge in Ibba County, which sustained significant damage last week due to heavy rainfall in the area.
During a gathering held on Tuesday at Yambio Freedom Square to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the United Nations Day, Christopher Murenga, the UNMISS head of field office in Western Equatoria, revealed their collaboration with the government to address the damaged bridge.
Murenga expressed their commitment, stating, “I am very happy to say the issue of Kuyongo bridge was brought to our collective attention, and we are working together with the state ministry of road and bridges, as well as partners in Juba and the national ministry of road and bridges to explore how we can collectively support the rapid repair of that bridge to reopen access.”
Meanwhile, Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba assured the public that the bridge would be repaired during the current week to facilitate regular movement. However, he cautioned traders against inflating commodity prices in the market due to the bridge’s breakdown.
He emphasized, “This bridge we are going to repair, but if prices are going high in the markets, then we shall close down the market because the bridge has just broken down, and the government is working to repair it. I am informing the business community to sell their goods at the initial prices they set before the bridge collapsed.”
Abdulla Marona, the acting state minister of road and bridges, announced that a team of engineers is currently working to establish a temporary route for light vehicles to cross, enabling the repair of the damaged bridge.
He stated, “The engineers have already assessed the area, which will be temporarily used for light vehicles to cross, and this will help people within two weeks. So that is our alternative.”
Victor Elisa Babu, Yambio County chairperson for the Chamber of Commerce, issued a stern warning to traders against price hikes. He emphasized that any trader found raising prices in their shops would face closure.
Babu further noted that the Yambio Chamber of Commerce intends to conduct door-to-door announcements to inform everyone that prices of goods must remain consistent with those set before the bridge’s breakdown.
The Kuyongo Bridge’s collapse in Ibba County has resulted in a complete disruption of access for vehicles transporting goods to the western parts of the state, causing concern among the public. The affected counties include Yambio, Nzara, Ezo, Tambura, and Ezo.