JUBA—Juba City Council has threatened to arrest residents caught littering, dumping waste on streets or urinating in public places as it steps up enforcement of sanitation regulations across the capital.
Stephen Lomude Martin, caretaker deputy mayor for environment and waste management, said Thursday that the council has established an enforcement team to arrest people found violating municipal cleanliness rules.
Lomude said 13 people were already arrested on Wednesday in businesses, restaurants, markets and residential areas for allegedly dumping waste and failing to keep their shops and homes clean.
He said the suspects were taken to court and sentenced to one month in prison.
“They were taken to court and sentenced to one month in prison. I want to urge all residents of Juba to stop dumping waste on the streets,” Lomude said.
He warned that the enforcement team would also target people who urinate in public places or dump rubbish in the middle of roads.
The council urged residents, business owners, and households to keep their rubbish in designated places until municipal waste collection teams arrive.
“We are calling on all citizens to keep their waste in designated places until municipal waste collection teams arrive to collect it,” Lomude said.
He said municipal collection vehicles would remove the waste and urged residents to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
“Keeping Juba clean is a collective responsibility, and everyone must comply with municipal laws to protect our environment and maintain a clean and healthy city,” he said.
The council’s warning comes amid efforts to address improper waste disposal in Juba, where rubbish dumped on streets can obstruct roads, pollute the environment, and pose public health risks.
