Solar Streetlights Light Up Juba Airport Road
Motorists approaching Juba International Airport now drive under a fresh ribbon of light. Airport Director Engineer Kat Mosety confirms that 22 solar-powered streetlamps, each 60 watts on a 24-volt circuit, were switched on this week along the corridor stretching from Crown Hotel to the aviation authority headquarters.
Security and Accident Reduction Goals
The installation continues to the main airport gate, covering one of the capital’s busiest arteries. Authorities say poor illumination had encouraged petty crime and minor collisions. “We expect a measurable drop in incidents as visibility improves,” Mosety stated, citing routine police records gathered over the past dry season.
Financing and Technical Specifications
South Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority financed the project from internally generated fees, opting for solar to curb diesel spending and grid outages. Technical teams measured pole spacing for uniform lux levels, while integrated batteries promise up to three cloudy nights of autonomy, according to an internal engineering brief.
Community Reception and Future Phases
Local transport unions welcome the upgrade yet urge continued patrol presence. Driver Mary Lado remarks that better light alone “cannot replace traffic discipline.” The airport management says further phases will extend illumination toward the Freedom Bridge junction, subject to budget clearance in the next fiscal envelope.
Renewable Shift Across South Sudan
For Juba, the modest network of panels and LEDs signals a broader pivot toward renewable infrastructure across the Nile corridor. Similar schemes have been trialed in Wau and Torit. Observers note that reliable night lighting remains a basic yet powerful catalyst for commerce, tourism and citizen confidence.