Diabio-Tombura and Diabio-Ezo gravel roads opened in W. Equatoria

By Richard Ruati

June 13, 2011 (TOMBURA) – Two new roads in Western Equatoria – the 105-km Diabio-Tombura and 77-km Diabio-Ezo gravel roads – were officially opened on Monday June 13 providing much needed improvements to South Sudan’s poor infrastructure weeks before its independence.

The rehabilitation funded by USAID cost a total cost of $37 million and was supervised by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The U.S. Consul General in Juba Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley and USAID Mission Director William Hammink joined Western Equatoria State Governor Colonel Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, and other senior Government of Southern Sudan officials in Tombura for the inauguration.

Bakosoro said: “I am privileged to welcome all our visitors into the state to witness the inauguration of Diabio-Tambura and Diabio-Ezo road finishing. This is the fruit and the result of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005. South Sudan since ages has never experienced any type of development except during the SPLM-led Government.”

The peace deal paved the way for South Sudan to vote for independence in a referendum in January.

Ambassador Walkley and Mr. Hammink received a rousing welcome at Tombura airstrip from the government and local traditional dancers.

“I am greatly delighted to join His Excellency Joseph Bakosoro, Governor of Western Equatoria State; Engineer Gabriel Makur, Director General, Roads and Bridges, Ministry of Transport and Roads (GOSS); Western Equatoria State government officials; and members of the Tambura town community as we inaugurate completion of USAID-funded roads in Western Equatoria State,” remarked Walkley at the inaugural ceremony.

He went further to say “we all know that economic activities dramatically increase when there is high mobility of people and goods. Because of these road improvements, travel time from Yambio to Diabio has been reduced from more than 4 hours to 1.5 hours, resulting in improved supply of goods and services.”

Ambassador Walkley stressed that “roads are also important for improving security and delivery of social services such as health and education. I understand that the attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) dropped in areas close to these roads after they were upgraded.”

Western Equatoria has borne the brunt of the Ugandan rebel group’s actions in the south since they were forced out Uganda and into Central African Republic, DR Congo and South Sudan.

The U.S. Consul General used the occasion to congratulate the ministry of roads and transport for their efforts to establish the South Sudan Roads Authority, a critical step in developing the institutional capacity to build and maintain roads in South Sudan.

By the end of this year, the U.S. Government will have spent more than $300 million in development of transportation infrastructure in South Sudan.

Ambassador Walkley concluded his remarks by saying “as we inaugurate these road projects today—marking a new era for the people who live in Western Equatoria State—I want to tell you that on behalf of the American people, we stand with you in hope and partnership, looking forward to a bright and prosperous future for South Sudan.”

Located in the southwest of South Sudan bordering Central African Republic and DR Congo, the gravel roads provide convenient transport connections to the main towns of Ezo and Tombura, plus Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

At the ceremony, which may be his last in Sudan, USAID Mission Director William Hammink said “these roads, costing a total of $37 million, represent the longstanding partnership between USAID and the Ministry of Transport and Roads and Western Equatoria State.

Hammink revealed that “back in 2007, USAID and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) worked with the Ministry of Transport and Roads to conceive this project.

He noted that the aim was “to connect Juba to Wau, and to open up the possibility of creating a link to Port Sudan through the Railway line in Wau.”

The roads have helped traders and communities to transport goods from East Africa to various parts of South Sudan, particularly Tombura County.

“We should thank [the South Sudan] government for its perseverance in creating conducive atmosphere for U.S. Government that has enabled them to start and complete this road project. I would like to convey my big thanks and appreciations to the American People and U.S. Government for its contributions in the development of this country and more especially Western Equatoria State,” said Bakosoro.

He added that “we the people of Western Equatoria shall not forget the American government and their kind support to us which has enabled us to stand on our feet after over 50 years of war and conflicts.”

The project employed daily laborers from the surrounding area and professionals including elite Southern Sudan engineers.

It is expected to have a significant economic impact on the two towns and their immediate environs as well as among Western Equatoria farmers in the surrounding fertile areas who depend on trade with local consumers for their livelihood.

A trip that once took eight hours, depending on weather conditions, can now be travelled in less than three hours.

Tombura county paramount chief Mboribamo Renzi Tombura thanked the South Sudan and U.S. governments “and all the implementing partners – Eyat, CIVICOM and Payii Road for your tremendous efforts that have culminated with this perky day”.

Chief Mborbamu added that “these roads have helped us to improve security services of our people to the extent that security forces and community vigilantes like [the] Arrow boys can move easily and fast from one location to another wherever LRA rebels attack my people.”

The chief requested the Ambassador, South Sudan government and all implementing partners at the function not “to take all road assets and equipments from us as we need such machines to repair the potholes already on the rise.”

These efforts are part of a broader array of nearly $300 million in U.S. government road infrastructure assistance that includes the 192 kilometer-long Juba-Nimule Road, the first major paved road in southern Sudan, as well as the Bandame Bridge in Central Equatoria State; and emergency repairs to the 100 kilometer-long Pagak-Mathiang Road in Upper Nile State.

Under the USAID-funded Sudan Infrastructure Services project implemented by Louis Berger Group, 30 local contractors have been trained and gained work experience through USAID’s road programs, which will contribute to the maintenance and sustainability of the roads.

The commissioner of Tambura county Charles Babiro Gbamisi said he also appreciated the efforts of the American government for the development of Western Equatoria State.

A white bull was scarified before Ambassador Walkley and Bakosoro cut ribbons to open the new road. As is customary, they both jumped over the dead bull.

(ST)