Kiir inaugurates Juba-Terekeka road, citizens express happiness

(radiotamazuj.org)

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Monday commissioned the newly completed 63 kilometres Juba-Terekeka section. Residents expressed happiness about the project.

The completed section is part of the 392 kilometres Juba-Rumbek road under construction by China's Shandong Hi-Speed.

The Chinese company started work on the major highway in November 2019, and currently, it is working on the 216-kilometres Awerial-Rumbek section.

Speaking during the commissioning of the completed road section, President Kiir said the newly built highway will improve security and boost trade between Lakes, Western Bahr El Ghazal, Warrap, and the Abyei Administrative Area.   

“I came here in 2019 during my tour of Greater Bahr el Ghazal. Today (Monday), I came again with the same objective of wanting this road constructed. Having good roads will improve security because it will allow law enforcement agencies to reach trouble spots quickly. You as citizens, will be able to conduct business with neighbouring towns and communities,” Kiir said. 

The South Sudanese leader urged the traditional leaders and the communities residing along the highway to cooperate with the construction company and protect construction workers.

For his part, the National Minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak, said they have included 70 kilometres of internal roads in the Bahr el Ghazal road project, which will benefit Terekeka, Awerial, Ramciel, and Rumbek. 

“The road from Juba to Rumbek was washed away by water in May 2020, but we have reviewed the redesign. The distance is 392 km. We have added 70 km as a highway dividend and a gift of the president,” Mijak said.

 Citizens' reaction

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during the road inauguration in Terekeka, several residents expressed happiness about the new development project.

 Francis Pitia, a community leader in Terekeka, welcomed the road project saying it will improve their livelihood. 

“We, as residents of Terekeka, are delighted because the road is a fundamental development; without roads, many things cannot be done,” he said.

 “Before the construction of this road, Terekeka was a bush, but with the road, you can see development. So as a resident of this area, I am very happy with this road construction; with the road construction, there is going to be economic growth, it will ease trade, and we can take goods from here to Juba,” he added.

The community leader pointed out that it used to take motorists nearly four hours to reach the capital Juba, adding that it now takes 40 minutes to drive from Terekeka to Juba.

Meanwhile, Ajak Simon Bol, a resident of Guolyar Town of Awerial County, said the opening of the road has made it easy for them to reach Juba.

 “It will be very easy for someone who wants to go to Juba either by car or motorcycle. Previously, it was not easy if you wanted to travel to Juba, you first go by boat to Bor and then to Juba, but now it is very easy to reach Juba,” he said. “As people living here, we are very excited.”