Plans to Clean Juba Ahead of South Independence Celebrations

Ngor Arol Garang

27 April 2011

Wau — The government of South Sudan on Wednesday called on the public to consider proper waste disposal in order to keep the regional capital of Juba clean for independence day on July 9.

Juba will be the capital of the new Republic of South Sudan in July after an internationally monitored referendum on self determination saw an overwhelmingly vote for independence.

The plebiscite was part of the 2005 peace agreement which the former Southern rebel movement, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the government of Sudan to end the over two decades years of north-south civil.

Juba will host the celebration on southern independence on July 9, with preparations underway to prepare the town for the arrival of international guests for the occasion. Steering ministerial and technical committees have been formed to prepare for the celebration.

The southern African countries of Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe among others have already received formal invitation messages from the government of South Sudan.

Among the subcommittees created to prepare Juba for the heads of state and foreign dignitaries a committee has been tasked to clean Juba.

Luka Monajo Tombe, minister of health in the southern government on Wednesday said his ministry in collaboration with government of central Equatoria State is working together to ensure regular cleaning and proper waste disposal are followed so that the town looks clean and sanitized in the eyes of visitors invited for the celebration.

“We have formed a joint committee,” said minister Tombe in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday. “We are working together to ensure regular cleaning and proper waste disposal methods are followed.”

Juba residents have approved of the initiative. Lual Yual Deng Mawien, a resident of Juba told Sudan Tribune that he appreciated the initiative to clean the future capital.

“The call by minister of health the public is the only way to keep Juba clean. This is the best way to effectively enforce regulations on garbage collection in Juba and should be taken seriously. It is in the interest of both the local authorities and the communities they serve to implement effective garbage management strategies as the minister has advised,” said Mawien.

The minister Tombe has directed the committee to ensure people dumping garbage in unauthorized places are brought before the law, saying local authorities should enforce laws on garbage dumping because they have the responsibility to ensure proper waste management in their respective jurisdictions.

AllAfrica – All the Time