JUBA-President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, pledged on Tuesday to give agriculture top priority in an effort to improve the nation’s food security.
In his speech on the New Year’s message, President Kiir instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to assist farmers nationwide in order to increase yields.
“In the year 2025, the government will prioritize agriculture to enhance our food security. I am therefore directing that the Ministry of Agriculture double its efforts to support farmers across the country to improve yields,” President Kiir said on Tuesday.
Kiir directed the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to rehabilitate and construct roads leading to Western Equatoria to enable farmers to access the market.
The President asked the Ministry of Defense to remove all illegal checkpoints along the roads and rivers to guarantee the security and safety of travelers.
Kiir revealed that some government institutions have managed to use the limited resources at their disposal.
He added they have strengthened relationships with international partners to deliver services to the people, despite the economic challenges.
“As part of improving access to electricity, the Ministry of Energy and Dams is currently implementing a $53 million project funded by a loan facility from the World Bank. The project is expected to provide 20,000 additional connections to households and businesses in Juba,” he said.
He disclosed that two solar power plants with a total of 40 MW have already been installed at Nesitu and will be commissioned by the end of January 2025, adding that an additional 5 MW solar plant will be installed in Yei town.
He said that over 50 schools and 40 health facilities across South Sudan will be connected to power, which he believed will help to reduce electricity costs by 20%.
“Our development agenda cannot be realized without road access. The Ministry of Roads reported the completion of the Clement Mboror Bridge in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal State, as well as the completion of the Nyamlel Bridge and the Nyamlel-Gokmachar and Gokmachar-Mayom-Angok roads in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State,” he said.
“Efforts are underway to launch the construction and upgrading to asphalt standard of the Pagak-Maiwut-Mathinag-Paloch road and the Juba-Torit-Kapoeta-Nadapal road.”
