Kiir inaugurates Luri and Haboba bridges after one year of reconstruction

JUBA – President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday officially inaugurated the long-awaited Luri and Haboba bridges in Juba after nearly one year of reconstruction.

The president said the two bridges will ease transport and boost local trade.

“The opening of Luri Bridge connects Juba to towns with production areas in Western Equatoria and as a result we expect immediate benefit of increase local trading,” Kiir said.

“Juba city will benefit and hence movement of people and goods from centers in suburb of Juba and vice versa.”

Kiir said bridges will strengthen government’s work to consolidate peace and regional integration.

“The opening of these two bridges will strengthen our work in peace consolidation and regional integration. As landlocked country our access to regional market depends on good roads and bridges.”

Taban Deng Gai, Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster said plans are underway to inauguration Wau Bridge in Western Bahr el Ghazal.

“We thank you ([President Kiir) for providing funding to take care of our roads and other developmental projects and oil for development is a very productive policy ,” Deng said.

Simon Mijak Mijok, Minister of Roads and Bridges disclosed the Ministry’s plans to modernize all roads in the country.

“The Ministry of Roads and Bridges is developing cohesive policy and planning framework to transformed road transport into modern and sustainable and effective one,” Mijak said.

Emmanuel Adil Anthony, Governor of Central Equatoria said these bridges will link  Juba to Western Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal region hence enhance economic growth.

“The two bridges are important lifeline that connect Western Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal region to the national capital of Juba and entire nation,” Governor Adil said.

Luri Bridge collapsed in April 2012 and ever since, it has claimed several lives as people try to cross it.

The construction of the bridges was launched last year by the Africa Resources construction company ARC in partnership with a Chinese construction firm.

In 2019, the government allocated 86 million South Sudanese Pounds for the reconstruction of the bridge.

Both Haboba and Luri are major bridge located along Juba- Mundri road

Haboba Bridge has total length of 30m and Luri Bridge with 90m.

Both bridges have width of 32m.