Lakes state’s Bar-Naam bridge a threat to public transport
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June 30, 2013 (RUMBEK) - Citizens in Lakes state have expressed
concern over the safety of the Bar-Naam bridge which connects South
Sudan’s central state to Western Bahr El Ghazal state to the west.
JPEG - 36 kb
The Bar Naam bridge which connects Lakes state with greater Equatoria
and the entire Bahr El Ghazal region, 28 May 2013 (ST)
An official at Lakes state’s ministry of physical infrastructure, who
insisted on anonymity, told Sudan Tribune that plans to fix the
Bar-Naam bridge have been suspended due to insecurity and austerity
measures.
The South Sudanese government stopped oil production last year over an
transit fee dispute with Sudan, causing a fall in public spending.
The areas either side strategic bridge, that crosses the Bar-Naam
river connecting the Equatoria region with Greater Bahr el Ghazal and
Unity state, has become used by bandits to attacks both government
officials and private cars.
Lakes state’s government has introduced harsh security measures since
January when elected governor Chol Tong Mayay was removed by South
Sudan’s president, allegedly for failing to address insecurity caused
by highway robbery, cattle raiding and inter-communal clashes.
Since Mayay was replaced by Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol the security
services have pursued a policy of holding youth suspected of banditry
and cattle raiding in three military facilities - Langcok, Ajakangau
(Ngatinga) and Pulkuc.
Human Rights Watch, has described the approach as "rough justice" and
says that around 130 men have been held in military prisons without
trial or access to a lawyer. Those who have escaped or been released
have complained of ill treatment and torture.
James Ater Manyiel, a young man from Lakes state said he expected the
security situation get worse because cattle herding groups are so well
armed despite the governors request in March that all firearms must by
registered. The cost of registration - 350 South Sudanese pounds - has
put off many people from doing so.
If rains increase, Manyiel said, the bridge will become more dangerous
as the Bar-Naam river will rise and more vehicles will use the
crossing putting more strain on the bridge.
If the bridge collapses "transport between greater Equatoria and Bahr
El Ghazal will [be] immediately affected", he said.
(ST)
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