South Sudan approves over 700 mln USD on road project

Juba-Bor Road (ammarsgroup.com)

JUBA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's government on Friday approved 713.53 million U.S. dollars for the construction of the 392-km Juba-Terekeka-Rumbek road which is being constructed by a Chinese firm, Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co. Ltd (SDHS).

Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, said the money will cover the construction of bridges, cross points, and compensation for members of the public affected during the construction of the road that started in 2019.

"Upon thorough studies, the committee discovered that there were some items which were missing, bridges were missing, and crossing points were also missing including compensation for those who will be affected by the construction of the road," Makuei told journalists after the weekly cabinet meeting in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The Chinese firm already completed tarmacking of the 63-km Juba-Terekeka section of the road and is currently working on the Terekeka-Rumbek stretch that will connect to the entire Bahr El Ghazal region.

Makuei expressed optimism about the company completing the remaining section of Terekeka-Yirol-Rumbek that connects to Ramshel where the proposed capital is planned for construction by the government.

"The Juba-Terekeka section is already completed and it is being used now by the population and the clearance of the Terekeka-Yirol-Rumbek has started," he revealed.

In March 2019, SDHS was granted a contract by the government to start the construction of major roads across the country. The Chinese firm as part of its social responsibility to the community has also established a secondary school in Ladu County, built a health center in Terekeka, and constructed at least 29 boreholes and several feeder roads.

Schools, health centers, and businesses have mushroomed along the 63-km Juba-Terekeka stretch that has been completed. This stretch was once swampy and difficult to navigate due to huge potholes since the independence of South Sudan in 2011.

The road is designed to link up Central Equatoria state which hosts Juba, the capital of South Sudan with other six states across the vast east African country. Enditem