The visit comes after the government ordered the resumption of construction following a prolonged suspension that stalled one of South Sudan’s most high-profile infrastructure projects.
President Kiir toured the site to assess progress under the renewed implementation phase, following directives issued after consultations with the project’s oversight committee.
According to the Office of the President, the restart of works was triggered by a high-level meeting between President Kiir and the Oversight Committee, which led to instructions to accelerate construction.
“The J1 project, ordered back into motion by President Kiir after a high-level meeting with the Oversight Committee, is set for completion in September 2027,” the statement said.
The President was accompanied during the inspection by senior officials from the Presidency, including the Chief Administrator in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Marik Nanga Marik, and the Executive Director in the Office of the President, James Deng Wal, who have been overseeing the accelerated phase of construction.
The presidency said the visit reaffirmed Kiir’s commitment to ensuring the completion of the project and the delivery of modernized administrative infrastructure for the country.
“The visit reaffirmed the President’s personal commitment to seeing the work through and to delivering modernized administrative infrastructure for South Sudan,” the statement added.
Launched in June 2022, the J1 Presidential Palace project is being implemented by RAMS for Civil Works & Engineering Consultants and is intended to serve as the country’s modern State House in Juba.
The project is officially estimated at $300 million. However, it has faced sustained public scrutiny over delays, repeated suspensions, and allegations from internal sources suggesting possible cost escalations, with some claims placing the total value significantly higher. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the higher figures.
The project remained dormant for 18 months before construction resumed earlier this year, raising questions over financing continuity and implementation timelines.
With work now back underway, the government maintains that the project is progressing toward its revised completion target of September 2027.
