By: Paride Wani Moses – Torit
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, H.E. Louis Lobong Lojore, is urging the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges to urgently repair the collapsed Lolere Bridge, which links Kapoeta and Torit to the capital, Juba.
Speaking to the media during a visit to the bridge site, Governor Lobong noted that the bridge collapsed last month, putting drivers at great risk as they attempt to cross with goods and passengers.
“The state ministry of Roads conducted an assessment and forwarded a report to the national ministry, but there has been no response to date,” he said.
“I’m appealing again to the national ministry of Roads and Bridges to urgently come and renovate this bridge. The state collects no taxes here—it’s all collected by the National Revenue Authority. The national government must maintain this highway so revenue and services can flow.”
He stated that although the state government mobilized some internal resources, the funds were insufficient for permanent repairs.
“This highway links Juba to the borders of Kenya and Ethiopia through different entry points. This is the second bridge collapse in just a few months. The bridge at Khor-Timsa also failed recently, and we had to repair it with limited resources without meeting proper standards.”
The Lolere Bridge is vital for regional trade, especially for transporting goods from Kenya and Ethiopia. Its collapse has blocked supply routes to Juba, forcing many travelers to remain stranded in Torit.