Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Western Bahr el Ghazal State government on Friday launched the construction of a 60-kilometer tarmac road, a promise made to the residents of Wau by President Salva Kiir back in March.
On the 18th of March, Kiir addressed a crowd of citizens at Wau’s main stadium, where he made two commitments to the residents of Wau town. He pledged to construct a 60-kilometer road network within Wau town and to provide two emergency ambulances to the Wau Teaching Hospital. The road construction has now been launched, but the hospital has yet to receive the ambulances.
The road construction will be undertaken by the African Resource Centre (ARC), which has secured many government infrastructure projects. The company is headed by Kiir’s special envoy, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel.
The renowned South Sudanese businessman previously oversaw Thai-South Sudan Construction Company Limited (ABMC). The US government sanctioned him in December 2017 over alleged corruption linked to his business firms.
Speaking at the launching ceremony at the Jur River old bridge, Governor Sarah Cleto Rial emphasized the significance of this endeavor and said: “The launch today informs the public that the long-anticipated road construction has finally commenced, even though it may take some time.”
Governor Cleto thanked President Kiir for his fulfilling his promise and acknowledged the National Ministry for Roads and Bridges for their continued support. “As the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal State, we have been discussing the 60-kilometer tarmac road in Wau town for the past three years. It was only during the President’s visit to Kuajok that he promised 60 kilometers of tarmac,” she said.
“We are today launching the construction of these 60 kilometers within Wau town, and the company has already initiated the surveying process. We had previously conducted a feasibility study, and today, we are showing the implementing company the specific routes that will constitute the 60-kilometer tarmac road within Wau town,” she added.
Hassan Ngor Aguer, the State Minister for Roads and Bridges, confirmed the initiation of the road construction work. He assured the people of Wau town that they would soon witness the construction work, marking the beginning of President Kiir’s promise of a 60-kilometer road network.
Detailing the first phase of this project, the ARC Manager for Administration and Human Resources in Western Bahr El Ghazal, Leek Thon, said: “We are currently surveying the 60-kilometer roads promised by the President for Wau town. The work that commenced today involves data collection for the upcoming construction of the 60-kilometer road.”
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