CES starts road demarcation in Hai Jerzera residential area
Central Equatoria State Minister of Land and Housing said the area being demolished has been a problem to the people since 1962
By Philip Basa
Central Equatoria State Ministry of Land and Housing has commenced the demarcation of roads at Hai-Jerzera in Munuki Block B.
Speaking at the demolition site yesterday, State Minister David Morbe said the area has been a problem for the people since 1962 and it continues to deny residents access to clean water and electricity.
He noted that it is the responsibility of the state government to deliver service to the people but said this would not be possible if the area is not demarcated.
“No one can stop the government when it’s trying to bring services closer to its people,” he warned, adding:
“There was a problem between the community and the Catholic church where the church was able to block the community not to open the road but as a government, we should always be exemplary.”
According to the minister, the area was established in 1962 and it has been inaccessible due to lack of roads.
Morbe stressed on the importance of roads, explaining that good road networks can help the sick and pregnant women easily access health services.
“It was a challenge helping expectant women access hospital, especially when they are going to deliver,” he said.
Timon Wani, the Executive Director of Munuki Payam revealed that it is the community that arranged for the demolition of the area and brought the plan to their office for implementation.
According to the community report, Wani said, the area has been a hotspot for crime since the police could not have access to the area due to poor roads.
With this development, the security of Hai Jerzera will be improved,” he stated.
The authorities promised to compensate those that will be affected by the ongoing exercise.
“We will continue to engage with those that resisted our decision and see how best we can help them,” Wani said.
Mary Nyoka, a 48-year-old woman who resides in Hai Jerzera said they had been facing a lot of challenges of insecurity due to poor access to the area.
“We have been struggling with the issue of opening of the road for, which put our safety at risk. Our people could not also be able to access clean water, but our efforts to get a solution had been futile,” she said.
She blamed the church for delaying the demarcation of the area.
“Sometimes most of our women fell sick at night while some struggled to access hospitals for delivery. We are now happy with the development,” Mary remarked.
A 62-year-old man, Jadalla Wani said he has been in the area since birth, but there has been reluctance to deliver services to them.
“Now, I hope everything is going to be okay. I welcome the initiative by our community and their contribution towards opening of the road,” the old man said.
