Youth protest illegal roadblocks along Juba-Yei road

Youths in Yei River County have called on the Central Equatoria State government to remove all illegal roadblocks along Juba-Yei road which are hampering movement and business.

Johnson Poru, Chairperson of Yei River County Youth Association made this call during a meeting with Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony in Yei town on Monday.

“I am requesting the government of Central Equatoria to intervene to see that these checkpoints are removed so that we can boost trade,” Poru told journalists after the meeting.

The youth leader said the unnecessary roadblocks hinder business and free movement of the people.

“We all presented the consequences of checkpoints that are situated at the outskirts of Yei, these checkpoints are affecting youth doing business,” said Poru.

He said the security officers are extorting money along the major road without accountability.

“Money is being collected from the people on the way, and this money is not being accounted for,” he said.

Travelers along the busy road have often complained of seeing men in uniform use ropes or wooden logs to stop vehicles on the road in order to extort money by imposing unwarranted fees.

They complain that they are forced to pay bribes to pass.

The UN also reports that humanitarian workers are restricted by security agencies from delivering relief items to the vulnerable people.

In 2016, President Salva Kiir issued an order forming a committee to oversee smooth operations of aid agencies across the country.