The Turkish government in collaboration with South Sudan Friday laid the foundation for a new prison in Juba.
The US$30 million project, being implemented by Mehmet Veysi Gonuc Construction (MVG) in partnership the MADO Construction and Enterprise Company Limited, will accommodate 1,216 inmates. The facility, whose construction is expected to be completed within 10 months, is at Kapuri in Luri Payam and covers 1,500 square meters of land.
Speaking during the laying of the foundation, Central Equatoria State Governor Gen Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani said the facility would decongest the Juba Central Prison.
“This facility will have a great impact on our people here, especially the inmates. The Juba prison is overcrowded with more than 3,000 inmates. And this one, I think, is going to help,” said Wani.
Turkish Ambassador to South Sudan Erden Mutaf said the facility would accommodate 1,216 inmates.
“Let me give you some figures about the project. The project’s total costs will be US$30 million, and will employ 300 South Sudanese. In total, 1,216 inmates will be accommodated in this new prison,” said Mutaf.
“As far as I know, the total surface is 1,500 square meters, and the duration of the project is only 10 months. The Turkish private sector is well-known for their high quality projects all over the world.”
The Central Equatoria State Director General of Prison Service, Lt Gen Juma Doka Legge, hailed the Commissioner of Juba County for allocating 10,000 square meters of land for the prison.
“Honorable Governor, the main task of prison service is to keep inmates in safe custody and contribute to their development and eventually rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” said Legge.