Gov’t allocates $713M for resumption of Juba-Bahr el Ghazal highway project

JUBA – South Sudan government on Friday announced that it has decided to allocated more than $713 million for the resumption of the stalled construction of Juba-Bahr el Ghazal highway and to also compensate communities affected by the project.

The government through the office of the president in 2019 granted contract to a Chinese road firm, Shandong High-Speed, to construct a 392-highway connecting the capital Juba to the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region as well as the oil-rich Unity State.

The construction however stalled after torrential rains washed few kilometers away months after it was started.

The company later on briefly ceased construction activities at Terekeka because was not paid by the government. The government had signed the contract with the company to pay in kind of crude oil which the company sometimes said was not delivered.

Speaking to journalists in Juba following a cabinet meeting on Friday, information minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the government has decided to allocated $713,125 million for the resumption of the project and to also compensate citizens affected by the project.

“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 said.

Makuei who is also the official government spokesman further said the construction of the highway from the capital Juba to Terekeka County has been completed and the clearance of the way between Terekeka and Yirol County of Lakes state has begun.

“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,” Makuei revealed.