By Yiep Joseph
Vendors in Juba City are decrying what they describe as poor waste collection and management and have urged the Juba City Council to improve.
In an interview, some of the traders expressed that the Juba City Council and those tasked with waste management take their time to collect the garbage.
A vendor along Gudele road, who only wants to be identified as Keji, stated that despite several taxes collected by the City Council, garbage collection remains a challenge.
She added that the City Council’s garbage collection remains selective in areas and at times, delays in collection, causing it to accumulate in some areas of the market.
“We are paying taxes, but sometimes the trucks that collect garbage delay or collect and leave some areas, causing garbage to accumulate,” she said.
“We need the Juba City Council and those tasked with the collection of garbage to improve,” she added.
She urged the national government to monitor the operations of the Juba City Council in order to improve efficiency.
“Delay in the collection of waste does not only affect the traders but everyone in Juba City. Sometimes, dogs and cats that die on the streets can rot in some areas, and it takes a lengthy time for the council to collect them. It smells and becomes a public disaster. I urge the national government to monitor and support the Juba City Council,” she appealed.
On his part, Garang Bardon, a restaurant owner in Custom market, reiterated a call on the Juba City Council to employ more trucks to collect garbage around Juba City.
He decried that many restaurants face the challenge of delayed garbage collection.
Bardon claimed that due to delays in garbage collection from the Juba City Council, some of the restaurants resort to collecting it on their own, despite paying taxes.
He urged the Juba City Council to ensure frequent garbage collection to reduce the accumulation of garbage in the market.
Meanwhile, members from the Chamber of Commerce of Juba City acknowledged the challenges facing the vendors and traders.
During a productive meeting with the Central Equatoria State (C.E.S) Minister of Housing, Land and Public Utilities, Hon. David Morbe Aquilino, Juba City Council officials revealed several challenges facing the vendors.
The challenges include a lack of proper trading space, particularly for vegetable sellers.
Other critical challenges include the absence of sanitation facilities, a lack of a packing area, and poor waste management in the markets.
Stephen Wani, chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce in Juba City, called upon shop owners in Jebel market to come for registration with their documents at the Chamber of Commerce office in Jebel market as an easy way to address some of the challenges.
David Morbe Aquilino reaffirmed his commitment to work hand in hand with the Juba City Council to improve market infrastructure and management to enhance hygiene and safety.