By Taban Tom Henry
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have started renovation of a 300 km route linking Jonglei and Greater Pibor Administrative areas.
In statement released to the media, UNMISS stated that engineers from South Korea serving with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan have begun repairing a nearly 308-kilometer stretch road between Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
When South Sudan gained independence from its northern neighbor, Sudan, the country’s infrastructure needed much work. Unfortunately, repeated civil wars massively affected this young nation’s ability to shore up basic services. Government buildings, power and water supplies as well as roads were destroyed.
The country’s climate hasn’t helped the process of rebuilding in the wake of a peace deal citing that Heavy floods often leave roads impassable during the long rainy season, freezing travel, trade, and efforts to build peace but however the international partners such as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) have extended a helping hand as part of its mandate to protect civilians and build peace.
“Recently, engineers from South Korea serving with the UN Peacekeeping mission have begun repairing a nearly 308-kilometer stretch between Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The more people can convene, connect, and learn about one another, the greater the chances of a durable peace,” it added.
UNMISS pointed out that the advantages of this mammoth project is to provide access to services, increasing trade between areas which brings down the cost of goods in the market, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.
“Through roads, people from different communities can build trust with each other; this deters conflict. Peace comes when people are connected,” it explained succinctly.
Meanwhile Colonel Jong Sil Park, Commanding Officer of the South Korean engineering contingent under UNMISS said that the project benefits is greater mobility for peacekeepers and humanitarian partners.
“We are mandated to protect civilians and building social integration is key to that. The more people can convene, connect, and learn about one another, the greater the chances of a durable peace,” he averred.
He added that the estimated time frame for the road to be completed is three months of which the final route will connect Anyidi in Bor, Jonglei, with Gumuruk, Pibor, and Likwangulei counties in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.