The left lane of the Juba Bridge which was under repair since December last year has been reopened.
Speaking at the official opening in Juba on Thursday, the Roads and Bridges minister, Simon Mijok Mijak said the left lane was badly damaged by heavy trucks ferrying goods to Juba from other parts of East Africa.
“This bridge links us with the East African Community and it’s our back door of imports. I am urging the public to own this bridge. I request for a sense of ownership, take it as yours and use it responsibly,” he said.
The official urged the youth to embark on agricultural production in order to reduce the country’s dependency on imported food items.
For his part, the Finance minister, Salvatore Garang Mabiordit said the Juba Bridge is very important for the country’s business sector and pledged to continue supporting the Ministry of Roads and Bridges.
“Bridges and roads are the ones linking businesses and communities such that goods are taken from one point to another faster,” said Garang.
He added, “The Finance ministry will continue to support the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to ensure that whatever they need is paid for.”
Last year, authorities closed the left lane of the bridge after damages were discovered in parts of the superstructures holding the bridge.
According to South Sudan Roads Authority (SSRA), the damage on the bridge is on span, the part which directly receives the live load.
South Sudan has not built up industry even after becoming independent in 2011, and most food and other supplies are imported from neighboring Uganda and Kenya. In order to carry supplies to Juba by road, it is necessary to cross the Nile River, which is around 300 meters wide.
Juba Bridge provides the only access over the Nile into much of South Sudan since most goods and foodstuffs imported from Kenya and Uganda pass over the Juba-Nimule road.