November 7, 2008 (JUBA) — The Ministry of Transport and Roads (Government of South Sudan), has signed a 4,312,239 million US dollars agreement with a Khartoum-based construction firm, Sutrac CAT Khartoum, to supply road construction equipment.

The Director of Roads and Bridges,  Engineer Gabriel Makur Amuor, said that the money will be used to purchase equipment to complete the construction of all central trunk roads and all feeder roads connecting to the Payams and Bomas in South Sudan.

“The 2007 GoSS budget provided for the purchase of road construction equipment, comprising of five tippers, two graders, one water tank, one fuel tanker, one wheel loader, two excavators and a bulldozer, among others. These will see the completion and commissioning of roads in South Sudan”, said Eng. Makur.

Eng. Makur added that due to logistical obstacles, some of the equipment are still held at Port Sudan and will soon be cleared.

“We are working hard to ensure that we have all the equipment by the end of this year so that we can commence the construction of Nimule-Juba and Kajo Keji roads respectively”, he said.

The Nimule-Juba road will cost 120 million US dollars while the Kajo  Keji will cost 7 million US dollars.

Eng. Makur commended the World Food Programme for its continued support in the re-building of South Sudan, citing the world body’s generous provision of food and funds to upgrade the  Kaya – Rumbek road.