Poor Roads Could Hinder Access To Kapoeta
Kapoeta residents are complaining about bad road conditions which they say are limiting their access Torit Town affecting development in the area. 22 April 2013 A section of the Ikwoto road in Eastern Equatoria State in March 2013. [Gurtong | File] By Peter Lokale Nakimangole TORIT, 22 April 2013 [Gurtong] – While calling for quick attention from the government, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Ann Itto Leonardo witnessed and confirmed the state of Kapoeta-Torit road condition as appalling during her recent visit to the region. Briefing journalist at Hotel Torit in Torit shortly after her arrival from Kapoeta, Dr. Itto expressed profound worry over Kapoeta-Torit road conditions saying very soon as rains are commencing, Kapoeta will be disconnected or left in an isolation from Torit. The State Transport and Roads Minister Charles Lokonoi Ambrose said Eastern Equatoria roads were in deplorable state including the Torit-Juba, Torit-Kapoeta, Hiyala-Tseretenya, Kapoeta Nadapal as rain season starts. The minister cited the Kudo Bridge between Torit and Lirya, Loyakali at between Buno and Korjip along Kapoeta-Narus highway and the four critical bridges between Kapoeta and Loriyok towns which have become difficult to use as they have multiple potholes in them. The Minister appeals for swift attention and action from the national government to intervene as all the highways he has mentioned are in dangerous condition saying if there is no appropriate concentration from relevant authorities, the Torit, being the State capital of Eastern Equatoria, will soon be detached from the counties and Juba. Blaming the national authorities for highway delays in the construction of Nisitu-Nadapal, the minister complained that the road remains the only path for Juba to get connected to Kenya through Nadapal of South Sudan and Lokichoggio of Kenya which would boost bilateral ties through trade hence economic growth. In January, the minister said that the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges in close consultation with the World Bank, is currently still looking for trusted single contractor to re-contract other subcontractors to do the highway which will begin at Nadapal until it ends at Nisitu in Juba. The Minister explained that the sub-contractors shall divide the highway into 50 kilometres each but shall be supervised by the senior globally contracted company. He believes once the highway will enhance trade and industry between the two countries. Out of US$ 360 Million, the Minister revealed US$ 75 Million has been released to enable the phase one construction. Nadapal, the main border linking South Sudan to Kenya is where the construction of road will commence to end at Nisitu, where Torit road intersects Nimule-Juba highway. Last year, Kenya and South Sudan were in talks to construct a US$ 1 billion road linking Eldoret to Juba to enhance trade between the two countries. The 920 kilometre Eldoret-Juba road is critical to enhancing trade between the two countries. The road will have a one-stop border post at Nadapal, axle load facilities and social amenities like boreholes and security outposts. South Sudan minister for Roads and Bridges, Mr Gier Aluong, said the country’s citizens have put the government under pressure to upgrade the road network, which has immense social, economic and geopolitical importance. Posted in: Home, Travel -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
