Sudan’s Malakal gets 21 million US dollars for peace celebrations

By James Gatdet Dak

July 26, 2008 (JUBA) – The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) passed a resolution on Friday earmarking 21 million US dollars to prepare Malakal town, the capital of Upper Nile state, for the next year’s celebrations of the 4th anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Last year the GoSS Council of Ministers resolved that the CPA’s annual celebrations would be conducted on rotational basis among the ten state capitals of Southern Sudan as a way of supporting the state governments with peace dividend projects.

Following the resolution of the Council of Ministers last year, the 3rd anniversary celebrations were conducted in Wau town, the capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal state, after previously celebrating the 1st and 2nd anniversaries in Juba.

The CPA celebrations committee headed by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Luka Tombekana Manoja has chosen Malakal town to be the next host for the 4th anniversary celebrations on 9th January 2009.

The 21 million dollars budget will cater for operational and developmental activities that will include accommodation, renovation of some existing infrastructures as well as building some new ones in the town for the next four to five months before the dateline.

These infrastructures include construction of 10kms paved roads inside Malakal town, building of a Presidential Villa and Guest House to accommodate VIPs delegates, renovation of the Malakal Football Stadium as well as construction of modern TV studio, among others.

Upper Nile state government is expected to contribute 6.5 million US dollars towards Malakal’s celebrations.

(ST)