JUBA – South Sudan government announced on Wednesday that it is seeking at least €2 million loan from a British and African firms to implement prominent projects in the world’s youngest country that include roads development.
This was revealed by the government following a ministerial meeting of the transitional government’s economic cluster chaired by Vice-President James Wani Igga in Juba on Wednesday afternoon in which the matter was discussed.
Speaking to reporters following the ministerial meeting, deputy minister of agriculture and food security, Lily Albino Akol, said the loan would be used to construct and rebuild roads linking Pagak, Palouc, Malakal and Bentiu.
“The ministerial Economic Cluster meeting in its ordinary sitting on Wednesday chaired by Vice President, Dr. James Wani Igga listened to a presentation from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning on proposed loan of (2,000,000,000) two billion Euro financing facility from African projects Development and UK Ltd,” she said.
Akol said the Economic Cluster has directed the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to table the memo in the cabinet meeting for final approval.
“The loan was presented by deputy minister of finance and Economic Planning, Agok Makur Kur who said the loan is to finance the construction of six projects. The loan would be used to construct better road infrastructure and to improve country’s food security and reduce poverty,” Akol stated.
This request come just less than two weeks after the government in Juba announced that it has no intention to seek for loan this year saying it has collected enough money from non-oil revenue during the previous year.
The request also comes amid economic crisis and as the country is struggling to pay civil servants. The fledging nation economy has been under stress following fall in global oil price.
