S. Sudan earmarks $1 billion for road construction
October 17, 2014 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government has earmarked $1 billion for the construction of roads linking Juba to Jonglei state capital Bor and Rumbek in Lakes state.
Information minister Michael Makuei Lueth said Chinese loans will cover the costs.
“A loan of $1 billion from Exim [bank] will cover the cost of [the] Juba-Magala-Gamenza-Bor road and Juba-Teregeke-Yirol-Rumbek road,” he told reporters on Friday.
“It may not be enough but resources will continuously be mobilised to complete the two highways,” added the minister.
Currently, the 192km Juba-Nimule highway, constructed with funding from the United States aid arm (USAID) at a cost of $220 million, is the country’s sole pave road.
Leuth said the construction of the 194km Juba-Bor and 618km Juba-Rumbek will boost road networks in the country.
However, he did not reveal when actual road construction would commence or which companies will implement the multi-million project.
(ST)