Juba Plans Major Road Network Improvements/PHOTO CREDITS: National Roads and Bridges Portal
(JUBA) – The National Minister of Roads and Bridges, Peter Lam Both, has intensified efforts to improve road infrastructure across South Sudan through inspections, consultations, and renewed cooperation with state and local authorities.
In Juba, the Minister met with the Mayor of Juba City Council, Christopher Sarafino Wani, to discuss closer cooperation between the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges and the city administration.
The talks focused on upgrading the road network within the municipality in order to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and support economic activity in the capital.
Officials said the meeting aimed to strengthen coordination on planning, maintenance, and implementation of urban road projects.
As part of his nationwide assessment programme, Lam Both also visited the Nimule weighbridge in Eastern Equatoria State to review its operations and identify challenges affecting its performance.
During the visit, he held discussions with staff and management to understand technical and administrative issues linked to monitoring heavy vehicles and protecting road infrastructure.
The Ministry said the inspection forms part of wider efforts to improve transport management and reduce damage caused by overloaded trucks on major trade routes.
In Lakes State, the Minister joined the Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes, governors of Central Equatoria and Lakes states, and representatives of Shandong High Speed Company to oversee the relaunch of construction works on the Juba, Terekeka, Yirol, and Rumbek road.
The road is part of a major highway project intended to connect Juba with the greater Bahr el Ghazal region and improve trade and movement between states.
Officials said the project is expected to strengthen national integration and lower transport costs for businesses and communities.
Earlier in Juba, Lam Both also met with the Governor of Warrap State, Bol Wek Agoth, to review progress on the inter state road linking Lakes, Warrap, and Unity states.
The Minister said the road will enhance economic cooperation among the three states by easing the movement of goods, services, and people.
He pledged full support from the national government to ensure timely completion of the project.
The Ministry has also announced plans to advertise major road contracts to allow qualified construction companies to compete through an open and transparent process.
Lam Both said competitive bidding is intended to improve quality, reduce costs, and promote accountability in public infrastructure projects.
The Ministry said the combined inspections, consultations, and procurement reforms reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening road networks and supporting national development.
Officials added that improved transport links remain central to economic growth, regional trade, and access to essential services across South Sudan.
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It is gratifying to note that the National and State Governments are consolidating Linkages within the infrastructure sector. To facilitate these new developments, it would be advisable to reduce costs and time by revisiting strategies, feasibility studies and Masterplans withn the sector that were endorsed/ passed by the Council of Ministers and/ or enacted into law by Parliament over the years.
Some of these Masterplans, be they about road networks, housing, airports/ airstrips and even hydro power generation are lying somewhere in our archives, locked in cabinets or shelves or folders before the independence of South Sudan.
That stated, this new way of conducting government business gives citizens a ray of hope that they will be better served this time around. We wait in anticipation! Amb. BK Wani