The People’s Republic of China on Monday tasked the Government of South Sudan to expedite the payment of arrears for the construction of the country’s Air Traffic Management System (ATM).
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during an interview, Mu Jianjun, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor in the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, said they have suspended the project and are waiting for South Sudan to pay the arrears for the works done before completing the construction of the Air Traffic Management System (ATM).
“We are waiting for payment from the Government of South Sudan and we suggested that the government pays as soon as possible because this project is very important for South Sudan,” he explained. “It involves the airspace management whose control is very important for the Government of South Sudan.”
The ATM system project is a 200 million U.S. dollar concessional loan to South Sudan which was channeled through the Export-Import Bank of China.
The project which commenced in June 2020 is the result of a cooperation agreement between South Sudan and the Chinese government and includes the training of South Sudanese technicians to manage the country’s air space and air traffic by the end of 2023.
The project also consists of the construction of the Juba ATMS center, a new Air Traffic Control Tower and operations building, surveillance system, navigation system, and communication system, and the civil engineering and erecting of supporting facilities required for meteorological facilities, calibration of flight tests and personnel training.
For his part, Transport Minister Madut Biar said his ministry requires 40 million U.S dollars to pay for the completion of the project which he said the finance ministry is working to avail to settle the arrears so that the project can be completed by November.
“We are expecting to officially receive our ATM in November this year. What is needed is 40 U.S million dollars on the Expro account so that the China Exim Bank will release the money to complete this project,” he said. “So, I believe the finance ministry will settle that requirement and pay the outstanding arrears.”
Since independence in 2011, South Sudan’s air traffic has been controlled by Sudan and the outbreak of violence there in April affected three flights into South Sudan that were suspended due to the closure of the Sudan’s airspace.