Government officials inspect demining operations in South Sudan

December 20, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — A Sudanese delegation headed by the minister of roads and bridges inspected to day the demining operations in Upper Nile and Jonglei states aiming to pave the way for the construction of a road to link Faluj- Malakal and Ayod-Bor which part of Peace Road connecting northern and southern Sudan.

The Minister of Roads and Bridges Brig Philip Thon Leek, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Harun Lual, and State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun, checked the final stages for removal of land-mines at Peace Road (Faluj – Malakal Sector), prior to the beginning of the establishment of the road early next year.

The delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Fund for Unity Support and the Government of South Sudan.

The demining operation in the Upper Nile started last Saturday. It was implemented by working groups composed of engineers from the Sudan Armed Forces, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.

During its two-day visit the delegation inspected a number of sites in the Upper Nile and Jonglei states, as well as the maintenance process at Khor Adar Bridge and the implementation of two bridges on Akoka and Allol rivers in the Upper Nile State, the official SUNA reported.

The Minister of Roads and Bridges, Brig Philip Thon Leek, stated that the beginning of 2009 will witness the start of work at the Faluj – Malakal sector of the Peace Road. He hailed the remarkable performance of the land-mine teams of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The Governor of Upper Nile State, Gatluak Deng Garang, also praised the efforts exerted by the Sudanese government to conduct a demining campaign in the state. The celebrations of the fourth anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement will be held in the Upper Nile.

(ST)