Mayor warns Juba roadside hawkers

The mayor of Juba City Council, Michael Lado Thomas Allah-jabu, has issued what he termed a final warning to street hawkers who he accuses of blocking traffic in the capital.

Allah-jabu’s warning came after several unsuccessful attempts to stop street vendors from causing traffic jumps, especially in the Custom Market.

In November, the council allocated places to street hawkers and to traders whose shops were demolished in the customs market during the former Mayor Kalisto Lado’s administration. However, these traders have returned to selling along the roadside.

“I am not happy with you [because] last time you were given places inside, you refused and came back on the road.

“You are blocking the road for the traffic, and when you do so, where do you expect vehicles, motorbikes, and people to move? Allah-jabu questioned the street vendors on Thursday.

He warned of dire consequences for those who would defy the orders.

“My last warning to you, especially Bodo-Boda and street hawkers, is that if you are found again selling on the road, your goods will be confiscated because you are causing me problems,” said Allah-jabu.

“We don’t want to spoil your business because it is your source of livelihood, but let us cooperate.”

This prompted the officers at Juba City Council to demolish the stalls of the vendors to ease traffic to the customs market.

A similar exercise was conducted months ago by the administration of Juba City Council under Kalisto.

Although temporary camps of organised forces had been set up to prevent an influx of street vendors, the traders came back to the locations as the Christmas period began.

But Allah-jabu said their presence along the road hinders smooth traffic, especially for the country’s leadership, which in turn could endanger their jobs. 

Keep Juba clean

The quest to maintain cleanliness in the city under the “keep Juba town clean” slogan has remained a challenge for the mayors in the capital. Recently, Kalisto’s administration became a central point of criticism after rolling out a “Keep Juba clean” campaign characterised by demolitions.

“The leaders cannot use the road because you are blocking it, and that will cause me a problem. But before the problem comes to me, I will first have a problem with you because you don’t listen, ” Kalisto was quoted before his removal.

However, the former mayor had promised to allot pieces of land to traders affected by the demolition exercise within Juba town. He nonetheless warned that the move should not be considered as compensation for the unlawful construction along with the road reserves.

 After the allotment, Thiik Thiik Mayardit, the deputy mayor for physical infrastructure, warned the hawkers not to return to the roadside.  

“I have to tell [you] that from here, no one should go back to the roadside, but if you still insist that you will be selling by the roadside, thinking that the mayor was removed, that is where you will face it [rough],” said Thiik.