Newly appointed Mayor of Juba City Council Christopher Sarafino Wani - Photo Credit: Office of the Governor - Central Equatoria State

The Mayor of Juba City Council, Major Christopher Sarafino Swaka Wani, says the municipality is undertaking institutional reforms that prioritise consultations with residents over decisions made solely from government offices.

Wani said the reforms will focus on administrative restructuring, tighter financial controls and prioritising core services to rebuild public trust and strengthen local governance.

He was speaking on Saturday during the Juba City Council Media and Opinion Leaders Networking Lunch.

Wani said genuine accountability begins with listening to residents and identifying the priorities of communities across the city’s blocks, neighbourhoods and local administrative units.

He said municipal revenues collected from residents and businesses must be managed transparently and translated into visible improvements in public services and infrastructure.

Wani said the reform process also includes reviewing the municipality’s workforce and institutional structure to determine the number of employees required to effectively deliver its mandate.

According to Wani, an internal review has identified a need to reduce some positions within the institutional structure and align the workforce with the Council’s operational needs and available resources.

He stressed that the objective is not simply to reduce the workforce, but to establish a more efficient municipal administration capable of responding to residents’ needs.

Wani said the success of Juba City Council should ultimately be measured by the quality and accessibility of services delivered to residents, rather than the amount of revenue collected or the size of its workforce.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure and Development Woul Mathok called for stronger cooperation between residents, the municipality and the media in addressing infrastructure challenges across Juba.

Mathok said community participation is particularly important for projects involving roads, drainage systems, water infrastructure and other public facilities.

He said the media has a responsibility to explain municipal programmes, promote public understanding and encourage residents to protect infrastructure developed for their communities.

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Sanitation Steven Lomude also called for greater public participation in improving cleanliness and environmental conditions in Juba.

Lomude said keeping the capital clean cannot be the responsibility of municipal authorities alone.

He urged residents, businesses and communities to take greater responsibility for waste disposal and environmental protection.

Lomude also called on journalists and media organisations to support behavioural change campaigns aimed at promoting responsible waste management and cleaner neighbourhoods.

The Chairperson of the Juba City Legislative Council, Dina Keji, stressed the importance of accountability and oversight in municipal governance.

Keji said the Legislative Council has a responsibility to ensure that municipal policies, budgets and programmes serve the interests of Juba residents.

She also called for continued cooperation between the legislative and executive arms of the Council while maintaining their respective oversight responsibilities.