South Sudan capital’s Mayor Declares Tough Crackdown on Roadside Garages, Illegal Billboards and Poor Waste Disposal

By Debora Akur Chol, South Sudan 

The Mayor of Juba City Council has announced sweeping enforcement measures targeting roadside garages, illegal billboards and poor waste disposal, giving offenders seven days to comply or face prosecution.

Marking 120 days in office, Mayor Christopher Serafino Wani said the latest directives represent a firm shift from what residents have long described as weak enforcement of municipal bylaws.

“This time will be different. Our laws and ordinances will be implemented,” he told journalists in Juba.

Under a local order issued on 30 January, mechanics are prohibited from repairing vehicles along public roads. Owners of abandoned vehicles have been given seven days to remove them or risk towing and storage charges.

City authorities say roadside garages have obstructed traffic flow, delayed road construction projects and contributed to environmental pollution through oil spills that are washed into streams and eventually into the Nile River during heavy rains.

Vehicles left unclaimed after the deadline will be impounded at a designated city compound. Owners will be required to cover removal and storage costs before release.

The mayor also announced a temporary suspension of new outdoor advertising installations pending a comprehensive citywide review.

Companies operating billboards have been instructed to re-register and present valid operating licences to the council. Authorities say the exercise will address public safety concerns, including weak structures, obstruction of road visibility and interference with power lines and water infrastructure.

Officials cited previous incidents of billboard collapses and warned that non-compliance will attract penalties under municipal law.

Waste management remains a top priority for the city administration, particularly ahead of the rainy season when sanitation challenges worsen.

In December 2025, the council passed a new solid waste management ordinance strengthening enforcement powers. Since then, garbage collection has increased to between 60 and 65 truck trips per day the highest level recorded by the council with night shifts introduced to improve efficiency.

According to Juba City Council estimates, visible waste in the city has been reduced by up to 60 per cent.

A separate order issued on 6 January requires all businesses, restaurants and public establishments to install waste bins, particularly to curb plastic bottle littering. Authorities say enforcement against non-compliant businesses will follow.

Mayor Wani defended the removal of roadside vendors and makeshift tea stalls from major roads, citing security, hygiene and fire risks.

He urged traders to relocate to established markets including Konyokonyo, Gudele Central, Jebel and Rujal-Mafi, where vacant stalls are reportedly available.

“Markets do not follow people; people follow markets,” he stressed.

While acknowledging the economic hardships faced by many residents, the mayor maintained that public safety must take priority.

“We know people are struggling. But the question is always: is it livelihood, or is it life itself? Life comes first,” he said.

The enforcement campaign has also extended to roadside car washing operations.

City officials say wastewater mixed with oil and dirt accelerates road damage, blocks drainage systems and eventually flows into streams that feed the White Nile a key water source for Juba.

“These roads cost millions of dollars. We cannot allow them to be destroyed by private business,” the mayor stated.

He clarified that car washing is a legitimate business but must operate in designated and properly equipped areas.

The mayor described persistent tax evasion among roadside operators as “completely unacceptable,” warning that it undermines service delivery.

An electronic revenue collection system is being introduced to reduce malpractice and improve transparency within the council.

Administrative reforms also include public complaint hotlines, uniforms and identification badges for city officers, and human resource restructuring and capacity assessments. Juba City Council is marking its 15th anniversary since its establishment.

Violations of the new local orders will be processed through the city’s magistrate court rather than handled informally, signalling a move toward formal legal enforcement.

Mayor Wani further announced that Juba will mark Nile Day with a marathon and public celebrations to highlight the economic, cultural and environmental importance of the river.

Referring to the White Nile, which flows through Juba, he described the river as central to the city’s identity and economy.

“The Nile is our identity,” he said, urging residents to refrain from dumping plastic and other waste into the river.

Authorities have intensified inspections along riverbanks to curb pollution and protect fisheries and public health. The mayor acknowledged sensitivities around historical land ownership along the river and said any long-term development plans, including a proposed Nile Street corridor, would require careful consultation and compensation

The mayor also expressed concern over the gradual disappearance of public squares and open spaces due to land pressures and allocation decisions made at higher levels of government.

He emphasised the need for coordination between municipal, state and national authorities to preserve public land, noting that while the city oversees territory management, it does not control all land allocations.

The enforcement campaign includes seven-day notices for abandoned vehicles, a ban on roadside mechanical repairs, mandatory waste bins for businesses, suspension of unregulated billboards and formal court prosecution of violators.

The reform drive represents one of the most assertive governance efforts by Juba City Council in recent years, as authorities seek to improve sanitation, traffic flow and public order ahead of the rainy season in the capital of the world’s youngest nation.

“We ar

e here to serve the people,” Mayor Wani said. “And we will be accountable to them.”