The local authorities in Central Equatoria State’s Morobo County, on Tuesday, officially started the construction of the Supiri Bridge in Kendila Boma, Gulumbi Payam, that links the county to Kajo-Keji and Juba counties.
The bridge is being constructed with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Morobo County Engineer Abusala David Awu told Radio Tamazuj that the construction of the major bridge will take three months to complete.
“An assessment was done a few months ago and today (Tuesday) construction has begun and will take three months. We also requested funds from the donor to build Wola Bridge which will also help us,” he said. “We will work with the contractor to ensure quality work within the stipulated timeframe.”
For his part, Asio Luke of IOM urged the county to provide the contractor with security so that work is not jeopardized.
“For this activity to go on successfully, we need security for our contractor,” he stated. “We will ask for your support when we get any challenges but we want to complete building the bridge in three months.”
Meanwhile, Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data said the construction of the Supiri Bridge is a significant milestone for the community as it will facilitate the smooth movement of people and goods between Morobo and Kajo-Keji counties.
“The construction of the bridge over Supiri stream will link Payume and it is on a main road going from Morobo County connecting with Kajukaji County and further to Juba. This bridge was destroyed during the war and IOM is coming to build it for us through the contractor here,” he said. The construction period is three months and while work is going on, the contractor will make us a pathway where vehicles can pass.”
Commissioner Data added: “I want to appeal to our partners to help us rehabilitate the road after the completion of the bridge because it is in a bad state.”
The authorities however did not disclose how much the new bridge will cost.
Rehabilitation of major bridges and roads, especially in the Greater Yei River Region, has been a priority for the Government of Central Equatoria State since they fell into disrepair during the wars of 2013 and 2016.