Demolitions leave hundreds stranded in Gudele

JUBA – Hundreds of businesspeople including roadside hawkers have been forced out of the Gudele One Roundabout following the massive demolition exercise carried out by the Juba City Council yesterday.

Small-scale businesses such as kiosks, tea, and vegetable vendors were not spared.

The demolition exercise was spearheaded by the Mayor of Juba City Council Kalisto Ladu and his team. The exercise involved the relocation of Gudele One taxi park near Lou Clinic to Gudele Central Market located in Block 5.

Speaking to City Review Monday, Mayor Kalisto said the destruction comes following his order for the transfer of the business people to the Gudele Central Market to avoid traffic jams along Gudele One Roundabout and car accidents that often result from over congestion in the area.

“The buses and taxis from today should go to the new park at Gudele Central Market. We don’t want any parking at Lou Roundabout and all the sectors must abide by the order so that we avoid the congestion at Gudele One, which has been causing accidents daily,” Ladu said.

Gudele One Roundabout has always been a busy area in Gudele and that forced businesspeople reluctant to relocate to Gudele Central Market located downside from Piti Oil petroleum station.

The Gudele Central Market is the biggest in Gudele. However, the market has no single building in the area.

Traffic jam eased

In his part, Deputy Mayor for Physical Infrastructure and Development, Thiik Thiik Mayardit said the demolition has now reduced traffic jams compared to when the area was still congested.

“We are working under the law because the roads belong to anybody and it’s people’s rights to use it without any problem. This area has been a problem for everybody and as I talk there is no more traffic jam in the area. This is a public order from the Mayor and we have to follow it,” Thiik said.

Director Of Munuki Block Simon Kenyi said those who have been forced to leave the roadside were mainly women.

“We have done this to avoid accidents to our mothers and young girls who are selling near the roadside because it is very risky for them,” Kenyi said.

Traffic Officer working at Gudele Roundabout, Gordon Dut Achul said the area has been the only place with huge traffic congestion in Juba.

He said it had been very difficult for the traffic officers to control the jam in the area.

“Those doing the business at the roadside were in a very risky environment because sometimes big trucks pass near their vegetable and fruits they are selling,” he said.

However, James Magot, a Specialist at Lou Clinic, welcomed the initiative but questioned its sustainability since the area is one of the most strategic locations for business in Gudele One.

“I know they are doing it for the betterment of the people but what we need is the sustainability of the order so that heavy congestion near the clinic is avoided,” Magot said.

“The environment has not been clean enough due to waterlogging around, which causes a lot of malaria cases because of too many mosquitoes,” he added.

Keji Grace a street vendor said, “Now the area is clean and looks good. I think they have done that for the lives of our people not for bad.”