Juba’s Freedom Bridge to open next month – minister

JUBA – South Sudan’s only post-independence Juba Freedom Bridge that is being funded by the Japanese government is ready to be opened next month, according to South Sudan’s minister of roads and bridges Simon Mijak Mijok.

The construction of the bridge begun in 2013, but stalled immediately following the outbreak of war in the capital Juba that forced most foreign workers to flee the world’s youngest nation.

Last year, the Japanese ambassador to South Sudan said the bridge was set to reopen in 2022 and the bridge’s opening ease transport system in the country’s capital as Juba’s old bridge has been becoming weaker and weaker.

Speaking to reporters during an inspection visit on Friday, Mijok said President Salva Kiir Mayardit will inaugurate the bridge next month, thanking the Japanese government for helping South Sudan built the country’s largest bridge.

“The Freedom Bridge is ready and it will be opened by His Excellency the president of the republic in May 2022. This is great news,” said Simon Mijak, the minister of Road and Bridges,” he said.

“I thank the Japanese government for the great work they have shown and given to the people of South Sudan and we are also urging the Japanese government to move to the next level of investment,” he added.

He further said that “This bridge is a grant and to go ahead with constructing more bridges. The government of South Sudan is open to investment in mega bridges.”