Work to upgrade the often impassable roads of Kajokeji County in Central Equatoria State recently resumed, bringing hope that the area’s severe transport problems could soon be eased.

The 23-kilometre stretch from the Ugandan border to Kajokeji town is being repaired in a project funded by the Central Equatoria State Revenue Authority and supported by the non-governmental organization Savana, which provided a bulldozer.

The work is also being supported by Yumbe District Authority of Uganda (an area on the Sudanese-Ugandan border). “Due to the good relationship we have with our neighbor, Yumbe District gave us a grader to be used in the construction for a few days free of charge,” said Kajokeji County Commissioner Oliver Mule.

Mr. Mule added, however, that the roadwork was slow, pushing up the consumption and cost of fuel for the grader. “We use up to two barrels of fuel a day … I don’t know if we are going to finish the remaining portion of the road within the limited days given to us to use the grader.”

Once completed, the road could boost trade between Kajokeji and Uganda. Many traders and travelers in the country have complained about high transport costs between the two areas due to breakdowns and hazardous driving conditions. Prices of imported goods have become too expensive for local people, pushing down the demand for commodities.