By Sabri Dibaco
The Deputy Mayor for Environment at Juba City Council has warned that individuals caught illegally dumping garbage in the city will face arrest, saying indiscriminate waste disposal undermines efforts to keep the capital clean and healthy.
Speaking during a community clean-up campaign in Nyakuron Residential Area, the deputy mayor, Stephen Lomude, said maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility between residents and the city authorities.
“Anyone found dumping garbage illegally will be arrested and held accountable in accordance with the law. We cannot allow a few individuals to compromise the health and cleanliness of our city,” Lomude said.
He urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and cooperate with the city council’s sanitation programs.
“Waste management is a shared responsibility. The City Council is responsible for collecting garbage and clearing roads, while residents have a duty to dispose of their waste properly and keep their surroundings clean,” Lomude said.
The deputy mayor noted that the council has continued to deploy sanitation teams to collect solid waste from designated collection points and clear roads across Juba, but said these efforts can only succeed with active public participation.
He encouraged communities to organise regular neighbourhood clean-up activities and report illegal dumping to the relevant authorities.
The clean-up campaign brought together officials from Juba City Council, community leaders, youth groups, and residents, who removed waste from roadsides, drainage channels, and public spaces in Nyakuron Residential Area.
Officials said the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to improve environmental sanitation, reduce pollution, and minimise the risk of disease outbreaks associated with poor waste management.
Juba has experienced rapid population growth in recent years, increasing pressure on the city’s waste management system. Illegal dumping of garbage, blocked drainage channels, and inadequate waste disposal have remained major environmental challenges in several residential areas.
Juba City Council has periodically conducted city-wide clean-up campaigns and public awareness drives to promote proper sanitation and encourage residents to take responsibility for keeping their neighbourhoods clean.
Environmental experts warn that poor waste management contributes to flooding during the rainy season, contaminates the environment, and increases the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and malaria.
City authorities have repeatedly called for stronger collaboration between residents, businesses, and government institutions to improve waste collection, maintain clean roads, and build a healthier and more sustainable capital.