The Drivers’ Union at Jebel Market in Central Equatoria State has called for government intervention, accusing the state Ministry of Land and Public Utilities of allegedly selling a public bus park to private individuals.
The drivers said the disputed space has been used as a bus park and is an important area for public transportation activities in Jebel Market.
They expressed concern over the ongoing construction activities at the site, saying the development has forced drivers to leave the area they have been using for their daily operations.
Speaking to The Nile Witness, Chol Abraham, head of the Drivers’ Union in the area, said structures were being erected at the bus park after drivers were sent away.
Chol called on the government to intervene and restore the public space for use as a bus park.
He said the drivers depend on the location to conduct their transportation activities and that its loss would affect their work.
He alleged that some businesspeople had bought the bus park and were planning to construct shops on the site.
“This is a bus park, and the Ministry of Land has sold it to some people with money. They have sent us away and are constructing buildings. We need the government to rescue us. This is public land and a bus park; it cannot be sold,” Chol said.
According to Chol, the drivers believe that the land should remain available for public use because of its importance to transportation activities in the area. He urged the authorities to look into the matter and establish how the land was allocated or allegedly sold.
The drivers also raised concerns about what they described as pressure and intimidation connected to the disputed land.
James Bullen Kosi, one of the drivers, accused individuals seeking control of the bus park of using security forces to threaten drivers.
“Those with power who want to grab the bus park always use security to threaten us and take the public space,” Bullen said.
The drivers’ allegations come amid the reported construction of structures on the site. They are calling for the government to halt the developments and clarify the ownership and status of the land.
The union maintains that the area is public land that has traditionally served as a bus park. The drivers want the authorities to intervene before further construction takes place.
They also appealed for a solution that would allow them to return to the bus park and continue their transportation activities without interference.
When contacted for a response to the allegations, John Sebit Tongony, a staff member at the Ministry of Land and Public Utilities, said the state government would respond soon.
Tongony said the government plans to hold a press conference to address the Drivers’ Union’s claims concerning the situation at Jebel Market.
He did not provide further details about the allegations or clarify whether the ministry had approved the sale or allocation of the land to private individuals.
The government’s planned response is expected to provide clarification on the status of the land and the circumstances surrounding the construction activities at the site.
The allegations made by the drivers have not yet been independently verified, and the Ministry of Land and Public Utilities has not publicly confirmed whether the bus park was sold or allocated to private individuals.
The drivers are now waiting for government intervention and an official explanation regarding the future of the Jebel Market bus park.
