VP Igga, Deputy Speaker Oyet differs on $402 million road project

JUBA-South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Cluster Dr. James Wani Igga’s ambitious $402 million plan to upgrade the Juba-Lobonok Road was opposed by Oyet Nathaniel, the first deputy speaker of Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).

This comes after VP Igga’s Economic Cluster approved more than $400 million on Wednesday to construct a road that would connect Juba with his birthplace of Lobonok Payam in Central Equatoria State.

The cluster spokesman and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ms. Lily Albino, stated that the road building will boost the economy and increase farmers’ access to the market.

Oyet said the road infrastructure received zero because of severe mismanagement.

“Hope the Economic Cluster is aware of the technicalities in the FY 2024/2025 budget?” Oyet wrote on his Facebook page on Thursday.

“Roads Infrastructure was allocated zero capital due to the grand mismanagement of the existing roads construction projects,” he added.

He said the budget is now an act that can only be changed by a supplemental budget.

“Moreover, all loans shall be scrutinized and approved by the Parliament considering their terms and conditions, priority, and prudence. There should be no shortcut. The Ministry of Finance is aware of such standing constitutional procedure,” he said.

In addition to stating that the project could only cost $225 million, he cautioned that there are no short cuts to obtaining a loan without the August House’s permission.

“The cost and means of doing such should be realistic. The Juba-Nimule Road (193 km) cost USD 225M, and the proposed Juba-Lobonok Road (~100 km) is USD 402M. Huge difference.”

The deputy speaker instead encouraged economic cluster to repair the Juba-Nimule Road, the country’s economic lifeline.

“It’s also important to note that a good Juba-Lobonok-Pageri road has the potential of diverting traffic away from the current dilapidated Juba-Nesitu (Check Point)-Aruu-Nimule Road,” he said.