The major highway construction project connecting Juba to Mundri, Yambio, Tombura to Wau will soon be commencing. 

This was revealed by the Western Equatoria State (WES) State Minister of Roads and Bridges Ann Tuna Richard.

Last week, a team from the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges and contractors Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) visited WES leadership to discuss the plans of kicking off the project.

“The construction of Juba, Mundri, Yambio-Wau road highway is soon off as the state received [a] team from the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges plus constructors,” Richard revealed after their discussion with the team from Juba.

However, Richard did not specify exactly on which date or month the long-awaited construction would kick-off. 

She said the ministry had also given a go-ahead to the main constructor (ARC Company) including sub-contractors, Bentiu and Gloria Companies.

Minister Richard thanked the national government for approving the construction of a long-awaited project saying the people had wished they would have quality tarmacked road cutting across the country.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Roads Transport and Bridges WES, I would like to thank our able President Salva Kiir Mayardit for approving the construction of Juba-Mundri-Maridi-Yambio-Tombura-Wau highway and then Mundri-Mvolo-Rumbek,” she remarked.  

According to the minister, should the project succeed, it would improve the economy of the country and the state in particular through revenue generated from business activities, adding that the road would be busy. 

“The construction of Juba-Mundri-Maridi, Yambio-Tombura-Wau highway will reduce the prices in the market because commodities will not delay on the way. Farmers can be able to transport their produce to the outside markets,” she reiterated. 

She praised the state as a potential food basket in the country once the highway is constructed. She based this on the logic that it will feed Juba and the rest of the states rather than importing mere tomatoes, potatoes.

Richard urged the public to own the project and cooperate fully for its success. 

Call to action

Last month, while inspecting Luri Bridge construction project, President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered the construction companies to put many efforts of constructing quality roads network to a set standard. 

President Kiir stressed that the road projects across the country will benefit the local communities as they will increase their security and access to markets, healthcare and other facilities.

The planned exercise was also confirmed by National Minister of Roads and Bridge Simon Mijok Mijak, who also revealed plans to construct Luri Bridge.

“The work plans of the Juba, Mundri, Yambio-Wau construction have started already [and] [it is] just [a] matter of time [and] the real project will begin,” Minister Mijak disclosed. 

The project is aimed at connecting Juba with the other States of Western Equatoria State, Western Bahr-el-Ghazal including Lakes State.

The project will see the tarmacking of the Juba, Mundri-Yambio (WES) and Yambio-Wau (WBS) Road and Mundri-Rumbek in Lakes State.