Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the South Sudan government have signed a new deal to construct four additional small bridges within Central Equatoria State particularly in Juba town.
The project, which is worth 2.655 billion Japanese Yen (equivalent to approximately $23.3 million), is to ensure road traffic safety and expand the traffic volume by reconstructing bridges in Juba City, according to the officials.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Yamane Makoto, JICA’s senior representative, said JICA considers the infrastructure sector an indispensable and critical sector for South Sudan’s development.
He said JICA began engaging the Ministry of Roads and Bridges even before independence in 2011, starting with a detailed study of urban infrastructure development needs, which he said culminated in an urban transport infrastructure master plan finalized in 2010.
“Based on this, the construction of the Freedom Bridge, funded by a grant from the government of Japan, began in 2013. Although the project had to be suspended several times due to security issues, “the completion and handover of the Freedom Bridge is finally coming up next month,” Makoto stated.
“This new grant aid project for the construction of bridges in Juba City is also based on the urban infrastructure study conducted by JICA in 2010.
“As Juba’s urban population continues to grow rapidly, bridges connecting the city’s major roads are one of the most important issues that need to be addressed to ensure the safety of road traffic and allow for increased traffic flow,” he added.
According to Mr. Makoto, the four bridges selected for reconstruction are critical for the improvement of traffic convenience and logistics, inevitably leading to smoother flowing of traffic.
He said no doubt the bridges would contribute to an enabling environment for economic development and the delivery of basic services to the citizens of South Sudan.
He stressed that through the new grant aid, JICA aims to support the development of economic infrastructure and foundations, leading to the improvement of economic strength.
“JICA also plans to commence a new technical cooperation project for bridge maintenance this year. We strongly believe that grant aid projects, including Freedom Bridge and new technical cooperation, will generate a synergistic effect.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Mayen Dut Wol, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation appreciated the government of Japan’s contribution to promoting economic and social development in the country.
“We are grateful to the Japanese government for their continuous effort in supporting us with the construction of four bridges located in Juba, named Shuhada, Albino, Salakana, and Kokora bridges, that will reduce traffic congestion and help the overflow of traffic,” Amb. Wol said.
He further congratulated the role of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in implementing the project, adding that South Sudan welcomed the signing of the grant and the official launch of the project while reiterating the solidity of bilateral cooperation with Japan.
Mr. Mitsuhiro Toyama, the Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission to South Sudan expressed his gratitude to the government for their continuous ties with the Japanese government.
He said without the improvement of infrastructure, sustainable development and economic growth could not be achieved.
“Once this project is completed, the reconstructed bridges will contribute to improving traffic convenience and logistics in the capital city of Juba. It is [also] expected that many South Sudanese engineers will be trained in various technologies necessary for the economic development of South Sudan, “he stressed.
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