ARC resumes construction of Juba-Yei highway after attack

JUBA, JANUARY 29^TH 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The government has resumed the construction work on the Juba-Yei Highway in Central Equatoria state after it was halted over an attack a convoy belonging to the construction firm, African Resources Corporation (ARC), by suspected rebel forces believed to be from the National Salvation Front (NAS), an official has said.

The attack took place last week and resulted in the killing of a South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) officer identified as Lt. Col. Manyiel Mabor. The government military officer was shot dead by the suspected rebels while providing security to the road workers.

Speaking during a road inspection following the resumption of the highway, Yei River County commissioner Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa hailed the company for resuming work despite the attack.

“Carrying on the construction work is the Point Investment Road Construction Company that has started at Kimbi Bridge and advancing to Yei Town,” he told reporters.

“Let me thank ARC as compatriots and Lt Col Manyiel Mabor as a martyr of development efforts in South Sudan,” he added.

The construction of the over 200-kilometer highway undertaken by the or ARC commenced last year. The firm has been identified by The Sentry in several corruption reports.

The road is expected to be completed in about a year.

Juba-Yei highway is one of infrastructure projects to be undertaken as part of the oil for development policy unveiled by the government in 2020.

The government in 2020 embarked on a road construction project that it says will see the road networks linking Juba to Bor in Jonglei state and Rumbek in Lakes state and other parts of the country.