Juba’s first Special Economic Zone has officially been opened.

The zone in Jukokwe, Lokiliri Payam of Juba County will serve as a hub for North and West African imports and exports.

The member of council of states and Olubo community leader Vijel Modi Juma told Eye Radio after the ground breaking that his community is happy with the opening of Juba special Economic Zone in their area.

“In Olubo land, we are happy and we welcome it, and we have been working with the government because we know the benefit of it. In the community benefit agreement, the first sentence is that the Olub`o land is not for sale, that is what convinced us. Our land is not for sale, but we welcome anyone to invest. We have given investors thirty to thirty five years to invest, after that, it’s renewable.”

However, the zone is still controversial in the community. Eye Radio has previously spoken to unhappy citizens who are opposed to the economic zone.

“The things which the Economic zone wants to do for us -like building for us schools or hospital…if they want to build for us schools, let them come to us in Kudwo, but they didn’t come to us, ” said an indigen whose name Eye Radio has withheld.

Eye Radio also spoke to other people in the area who had positive comments about the economic zone:

“People are happy to give this place to the government wholeheartedly. People who are not happy now will tomorrow reconsider it and come back to like the idea. They are saying this place has been sold, but it’s not sold, this is just spoiling names of people.”

Speaking at the opening, Juba Commissioner Wani Michael said the zone was badly needed to boost the economy of the state.

The Special Economic Zone is located 10 kilometers, south of Juba city. The community living there predominantly practices subsistence farming.