South Sudan: Ministry Receives Repaired Lane of Juba Nile Bridge

Ater Garang Ariath
27 January 2012
Juba — The Ministry of Roads and Bridges yesterday received from United States Agency for Development and Japan International Cooperation Agency the lane of Juba River Nile Bridge which was under renovation for months. The Ministers of Roads and Bridges, Gier Chuang Aluong, of Information and Broadcasting, Barnabas Marial Benjamin, Minister in the office of The President Emmanuel Lowilla, Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Manase Lomole, CES Minister of Physical Infrastructure John Ladu Tombe and the US Ambassador Susan Page gathered to witness the handing over occasion.

Aluong lauded the contribution made by the American government through their agency and Japan's JICA which played important role of improving infrastructure and roads network in South Sudan. The development of roads network and bridges in South Sudan is one of key priorities and the Ministry is working hard to look into it that all states, counties and bomas are linked to the main towns, said the Road Minister. "We must achieve the dream of our iconic leader Dr. John Garang that takes town to the people and that the meaning of this expression is to provide roads networks that boost economic and development activities in towns and rural areas," said Aluong.
The Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria said a Juba River Bridge is strategic not only to South Sudan but to the region at large pointed that it enhances access to East Africa. He expressed appreciation to the governments of America and Japan for the help to renovate the bridges and announced that the bridge whose feasibility study had been completed is ready to kick off over the Nile to give Juba's second bridge. Lomole assured that good roads network enhances economic boost in the country and urged for more help in roads and bridges construction to connect all areas to agricultural sites.
The US Ambassador to South Sudan Susan Page expressed gratitude toward South Sudan Ministry of Roads And Bridges, JICA and USAID pointing that they have all worked together to support, repair and improve the bridges. "The expectations engendered by that historic referendum which paved way for nationhood remains high, as we stand today on the banks of the Nile, we know that in order to quench South Sudan thirst for a better life there are many challenges to overcome," said Page.She pointed that the top among these is improved infrastructure, especially the roads and bridges that are so vital to the new nation, regional integration, its economic development, public services and security.
"The United States has invested close to one million dollars in the bridges improvement that we celebrate today adding that 192 km high way from Juba to Nimule is under way to complete this year," said Page. "We are interested in collaborating with international community in helping South Sudan develop to appreciate Japan alongside US in doing that," she underlined. The Deputy Special Representative of Secretary General of United Nations Mission in South Sudan Lise Grade assured their commitment with development partners to build capacity of South Sudan as stable nation.
Meanwhile Atsushi Hanatani Resident Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency assured the support of the Japanese government to South Sudan and reaffirmed that the construction of new bridges will soon be started.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201201271139.html