My recent visit to Magalla and then to Bor has changed my perception of what the SPLM-led government is doing and such will constitute its better legacy since South Sudan seceded from Sudan should the party decide to leave power.

For someone who had ceased going to Bor—at times when traveling from Juba to Bor took the whole day or two days— I was surprised that you can now go and take lunch in Bor and then come and have dinner in Juba.

Juba-Bor-Malakal Highway construction is a milestone, and it will be one of the greatest achievements made by the government using the approach of urbanization to spur economic growth.

Over the years, road networks have received less emphasis from the government of South Sudanese. Apart from Juba-Bor-Malakal Highway, there are numerous road projects being implemented by the government among them; Juba-Rumbek-Wau-Aweil Road and Juba-Torit-Nadapal Road.

These road projects will not only boost the economic developments but will improve security along the roads and reduce high transportation charges on travelers and help the government in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

Before these road projects, South Sudan had only one tarmacked road connecting Juba to Nimule, a town bordering South Sudan with Uganda. All these projects have commenced with Juba-Bor-Malakal Road taking the lead.

Significance of Juba-Bor Highway

As someone who had once been a commuter between Bor and Juba in 2012-2013, and witnessed the progress of the recent Juba-Bor highway construction; I commend the government for making their dream of taking the town to people real.

The first and primary significance brought by the construction of Juba-Bor Highway is a reliable and efficient transportation network that allows people to reach on time and safe movement of the travelers which was not there before.

The Juba-Bor Highway has claimed many lives due to the poor road network that slows the movement of people, preventing security forces to do patrolling along the road.

This year, the number of attacks on travelers has reduced as well as the number of accidents and this is what development means. It is not only to make peace but also to construct a road that allows free movement, improved productivity, reduced insecurity, and linking urban centers to rural areas.

Another significance is the efficient and timely delivery of fresh goods such as fish, fruits, and vegetables. With the construction of the Juba-Bor highway, fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables are transported from Bor to Juba daily and this has reduced the prices of fish and vegetables in the market.

The lesson for the government and the people of South Sudan is that if there are road construction projects being undertaken. And, no matter how slow they are, we should appreciate the government for the positive step. It is this spirit that we the citizens need more than engaging in activities that will not benefit South Sudanese.

These few road projects I have mentioned are not enough, we need more road projects connecting South Sudan to neighboring countries and road projects connecting Juba to the States and counties.

All opinions, comments, and guest analyses are solely those of the authors and do not represent the views of the City Review management.