All news and updates regarding infrastructure in Sudan.

Juba Ring Road Construction Started (http://sosanews.com/2010/06/03/juba-ring-road-construction-started/)


JUBA, 2 June 2010 – The construction of the Juba Ring-Road promised by President Omar Al-Bashir in 2006 has finally begun.

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According to Mr Jacob Marial Maker, the Director General of Roads and Bridges in the Ministry of Transport and Roads, the 20 kilometre road will ease traffic coming into and out of Juba. As the capital city grows, he explained, so will the traffic and it is envisaged that this ring-road will play a big role in facilitating a smooth flow
Mr Maker also explained that the project is being coordinated by the Government of National Unity (GoNU) and is being implemented by Sawa Contractors from Northern Sudan. Apart from this road, President Al-Bashir also pledged to asphalt the Rumbek-Shambe road but the works are yet to begin. The Rumbek-Maper-Mayendit road which was also initially part of these GoNU projects has since been taken over by the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) as one of the Security Roads.
Besides these roads, GOSS has embarked on extensive projects to enhance the road network in Southern Sudan. Mr Maker explained that the Ministry of Transport and Roads adopted a policy of connectivity in 2005 to link Juba with the other nine state capitals all over the country. The policy also encompassed construction of roads linking the country to its neighbours such as Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central Africa Republic. The projects have also included the Juba-Bor-Malakal road which links the South to the North and forms what is known as the “Peace Road”.
Mr Maker also reported that currently a feasibility study is ongoing to develop rural access roads countrywide. He explained that already 4,000km have been surveyed but expressed hope that the coverage will increase in due course. He said that the construction of rural access roads is part of the government’s policy to “take towns to the rural areas” aimed at fostering sustainable rural development and reducing rural-urban migration.
The ministry has also embarked on several road projects in Juba as envisioned by a 2005 assessment. This assessment identified 65km of roads in Juba but this, Mr Maker explained, is not enough. The ministry is planning to build residential roads in Munuki, Gudele and Thong Piny. Similar projects will also be replicated in the state capitals. He reported, however, that roads in some of the capitals such as Malakal, Wau and Yambio which have hosted the CPA celebrations have been improved.
To further develop the capacity of local companies and nationals to undertake road construction, the ministry has coordinated the training of 30 local contractors by LPG Construction, a US construction company. A further 17 companies are currently undergoing training by the same company. These local companies, Mr Maker said, will be engaged in constructing the extensive road networks using labour-based technologies, an approach envisaged to create jobs for the youth.
To keep the roads passable, Mr Maker reported that the World Food Programme (WFP) has been contracted to undertake routine maintenance of all gravel roads in the country. This contract is funded by the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and will ensure that all parts of the country remain accessible even during the rainy season to enable rural entrepreneurs to access markets. Continuous road accessibility will also enhance security in the vulnerable areas of the country.
As a “young” government, GoSS faces many challenges revolving around inadequate resources for road networks. However, much has been achieved with the available funding from the government, donors such as USAID, MDTF and Unity Support Funds. Mr Maker expressed hope, however, that GoSS will continue to prioritize roads projects and allocate more funds for infrastructure development.


sosanews.com

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