UPDATE: Construction of Juba stadium suspended after collapse

JUBA – South Sudan’s minister of youth and sports, Dr. Albino Bol, has ordered the suspension of the construction of the Juba stadium after its collapse yesterday wounded at least two people.

Speaking during a press conference in Juba this afternoon, Bol said the construction of the stadium has been suspended and would be in consultation with vice-president Rebecca Garang De’Mabior in the meantime on the matter.

“As the minister, I want to make it clear to the public that from now on wards until further notice, the work has to stop because I am going to consult with the Vice President, the head of the sports, gender, and youth cluster, Mama Rebecca De Mabior, and also the vice president for infrastructure,” Dr. Albino Bol said at a press conference in Juba.

“And the ministry itself is going to have a team of technocrats who are going to inspect together with FIFA and resident engineers. Also, the construction engineering team would come and evaluate if it was a minor incident as it has been communicated to me or is it a structural defect,” he added.

Bol said called the incident a minor issue that will not prevent the resumption, but did not provided a time-frame as to when the construction would resume. He also said the elements that are going to be used in the construction of the stadium will last longer stressing the importance of sports infrastructure in the world’s youngest country.

“If it is a structural defect, then the government will have another say. But if it is a minor incident that has led to the collapse or bending then the work is going to be resumed in less than two weeks,” he said.

“We also want to ensure that the concrete will last for many years because at the end of the day we are building and developing our nation. And sports infrastructure is one of the best and basic development infrastructures. This stadium is very vital, being the only stadium in the country. And being the only stadium where the vast majority of functions will be carried out here in Juba,” he further added.