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The Central Equatoria State government has begun reclaiming public playgrounds and recreational spaces that were illegally occupied, starting with a playground in Juba City’s Hai Malakal area.

Speaking to the media, the State Minister of Youth and Sports said the government is carrying out a mapping exercise to identify public recreational sites that have been grabbed and ensure they are restored for community use.

The minister said the initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Juba City authorities, and the State Governor.

“We are working hard to map those spaces and reclaim them, the ones that have been grabbed. This is not only a talk, but we are actually taking action,” the minister said.

He commended the Mayor of Juba for supporting the exercise, noting that clearance of the Hai Malakal playground began on Sunday and continued on Monday.

“We have started with one playground. We are clearing the playground in Hai Malakal. We do mapping. The ones that we can reclaim, we reclaim, and the ones that are very hard, we will bring to the Council of Ministers,” he added.

The minister further explained that cases beyond the authority of the State Council of Ministers would be referred to the national government for further action.

The state government says the exercise is part of broader efforts to restore public recreational facilities across Central Equatoria State.