World Bank to approve additional $150 million for South Sudan

JUBA – The World Bank has pledged $150 million to South Sudan to fund agricultural projects to strengthen the capacity of farmers to improve food production, restore livelihoods, and food security.

Hafez Ghanem, World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, made this pledged during his meeting with South Sudan Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior the United States capital Washington DC. on Saturday.

Ateny Wek Ateny, Presidential Press Secretary said the World Bank will very soon release the money to support the development of agricultural activities in the country.

“The World Bank has agreed to first pay $ 30 million dollars on the safety net and most important part is 150 million U.S dollar the World Bank has pledged to pay to the government of South Sudan to help in the agriculture,” Wek told state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Saturday.

Wek disclosed that the World Bank will also provide additional 70 and 30 million U.S dollars for the development of electric power, a projects which will runs for nine years.

“The World Bank at the same time believed if the government of South Sudan is given 150 million U.S dollar to manage without the involvement of the third party then they will build the capacity of South Sudanese officials” he said.

“The World Bank wanted to do two things at the same time, by giving money to the government of South Sudan and the government in the process of investing this money, $ 150 million in agriculture then they will be also in the process building capacity of government officials,” he added.

The project will ensure direct income to the most vulnerable households to allow them to produce more food for themselves and local markets, as well as use labor-intensive public works to provide income opportunities while promoting restoration of pasture and farming systems.