CEPO Director Edmund Yakani | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio.

The Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization is calling on the government to maintain the Juba–Nimule highway and restore its acceptable standard.

Edmund Yakani said his experience while returning from Uganda through the highway – was terrible, disturbing, and stressful.

Yakani, who is also the president of the East African Civil Society Organisation’s Forum said the road is full of potholes and broken sections.

In a statement extended to Eye Radio, he appeals to the national parliament and the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to address the matter.

“I decided to return from Uganda using Juba-Nimule Road. My experience in using the Juba-Nimule road is terrible, disturbing, and stressful,” he said.

“I would like to alert the leadership of the country, those who sit in the National Legislative Assembly in the Committee of Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Roads and Bridges that we are losing the quality of the road.”

Earlier, a traveler who also came from Uganda told Eye Radio that the highway is infested with potholes.

The source, who prefers to have his name concealed on safety ground, said villagers are patching up the potholes in return for incentives that they beg from motorists.

Activist Yakani said he hopes the national government takes his concerns into consideration and repairs the highway – which is an important lifeline of the country.

“We are all aware that this road is a lifeline for South Sudanese, so maintaining the Juba-Nimule road quality to the standard shape is very important for our livelihoods, our security, health, and everything.”