Rehabilitation of Torit-Katire 20 km road section begins
By Richard Ruati
August 25, 2010 (TORIT) – A rehabilitation of a 20-km road section from Eastern Equatoria state’s capital, Torit to Katire has kicked off in a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a South Sudan official said.
The project is being implemented by the U.S. based Louis Berger Group and a local contractor Rhino star Supplies.
A delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) headed by George Wagwa recently visited Torit to assess the viability of feeder road projects underway by the company.
In a brief meeting held in the Governor’s office, State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore expressed delight over the improved level of support Eastern Equatoria is receiving from USAID. He outlined several successes currently ongoing in the USAID/GoSS feeder road project in Torit County, which he termed as “wonderful”.
Lojore said the ongoing feeder road rehabilitation in Torit and Katire will boost agro-economic activities in that part of the state which once served as the bread basket of Southern Sudan.
Governor Lobong further indicated that “these initiatives are bound to bring relief to the state and its people, especially direct beneficiaries of the project”.
Two months into the project, employment opportunities has resulted in a 90 percent utilization of the youths within the project area.
In order to maintain the roads that are currently being rehabilitated, Governor Lobong urged USAID to “extend their investment in institutional capacity building so that in the long run, the Ministry will have the technical ability to maintain the network of roads in the state.”
The head of the visiting USAID delegation said he and his delegation are glad to be in Eastern Equatoria and promised to look into the additional road needs requested by the State Ministry of Transport and Roads.
“USAID encourages local communities to monitor and inform USAID on the progress of projects being carried in their areas,” noted Wagwa.
He lamented that, “USAID advocates for rural roads to be maintained using local contractors, otherwise the improved roads will collapse and deteriorate back to their previous status.”
The projects that are expected to be concluded by December 2010 are to rehabilitate 94km of rural and urban roads in Eastern Equatoria.
Solomon Ohide, the local chief of Emilai Boma expressed joy over recent developments.
“I am excited. We have been waiting to see this and now we are now witnessing implementation of an extraordinary road maintenance project which passes through our locality”, Ohide jubilantly said.
“I am very, very happy for the initiative of labor-based road improvement; this community has suffered for more than 20 years, in this most vulnerable and marginalized community.”
He appealed to USAID to earmark more funds for the remaining 14 km that connect to the main urban area of Katire.
USAID head of delegation thanked the community members for their warm welcome.
“This project is funded by the US government as aid support to the Government of Southern Sudan”, explained Wagwa.
He added that, the “USAID team has come all the way from Juba to monitor whether the money earmarked for this project is being utilized in the right way and for the right purpose, and we are happy that it is serving the right purpose, again, the community has shown passion and big interest toward the project.”
(ST)
thokpiny de Deng de Thokpiny
Rehabilitation of Torit-Katire 20 km road section begins
I am very happy about how Eastern Equatoria is improving her road network
this should be an example to other states of Southern Sudan .People must stop fund embezzlement and work for the future
Adam
Rehabilitation of Torit-Katire 20 km road section begins
Dear Southerners,
About 30 years ago it took me 5 hours to reach Katire from Torit. It is a good news that this road is being built. We need to hear news on such good projects more regularly.
However, I want the readers to know that, it is an USAID project – not GoSS project. The idea, planning, funding, implementation are all American. What SPLM/A did was bringing a local company (Rhino Star Supplies) just to get the commission and eat whatever possible, if not closely monitored. Just watch how fast this Rhino or Hyena company will grow. Hey! Guess whom this company belongs to?
Thanks America for this important project, please use Asphalt – not plain red gravel only. AND watch the local company carefully.
Ha! Foreigners are building us roads – a nation!.
Adam Milawaki, Kansas City
okucu pa lotinokwan
Rehabilitation of Torit-Katire 20 km road section begins
Bravo,the governor of Eastern Equatoria plus the minsiter of Transport for EE Mr Otim,Please you have started development,more should continue do not forgget Torit -Magwi road please,farms in Magwi county are sufffering very much in bring food items to Torit town by biscycle i witness this during my holiday times in magwi County. in 2008/2009.
OKUCU PA LOTINOKWAN
Marco Nyak
Rehabilitation of Torit-Katire 20 km road section begins
Is this 20km or 200km? i hope is 200km otherwise it will just be time wasting talking about 20km road rehabilitation.
Wal P Muoranyar Biet
Rehabilitation of Torit-Katire 20 km road section begins
Good job Eastern Equatoria. Make sure you start growing onions in Katire too. During war, when we were defeated in Torit and ran to Katire, we ate those onion for almost a week. Our mouths smelled bad, but we survived.
Long Live GOSS & SPLM
Wal Muoranyar Biet