Netherlands earmarks $21m for South Sudan
The cash injection unveiled on Thursday aims to stimulate South Sudan’s agricultural potential and make it less dependent on oil. The investment will be overseen by the United Nations World Food Program and will improve 140 kilometres of feeder roads in Eastern and Western Equatoria, improving connections for local farmers who are currently disconnected from their local market.
Simon Mijak Mijok speaks to the press after the signing of the agreement, November 16.
This is an important project because it will promote farmers access to markets and help them sell their produce,” Paul Tholen, Netherlands Acting Head of Mission to South Sudan said. It will contribute to diversifying the economy.”
He signed an agreement with WFP witnessed by South Sudanese Deputy Minister of Roads and Bridges Simon Mijak Mijok.
Helping develop the feeder road network will stimulate farmers to treat farming as a business, with focus on producing for markets and reducing the need to import food,” Tholen said, adding that the Netherlands aims to boost food provision in the region.
The World Food Programme in South Sudan is trying to strengthen food security rather than just providing emergency food assistance. Work on the new roads will start next February, with construction contracts given to local contractors, he said.
Stephen Kearney, WFP Deputy Country Director called the road development a lifeline” for the region. At present one of the difficulties in South Sudan is how a farmer can move the supply produced to where it is needed in the country,” he said. The road system is not as extensive as it should be.”
Paul Tholen (left) and Stephen Kearney shake hands, November 16.
An extensive road network in the nation would boost access to schools and hospitals, as well as boosting the economy, he said.
An estimated 90 percent of South Sudan’s communications relies on road transport and the lack of proper roads in the country have boosted insecurity and hindered the effective law enforcement. So far the nation only has one tarmac highway, the Juba-Nimule route.
Analysts noted that South Sudan’s agricultural sector is needed to counterbalance the country’s dependence on oil which typically accounts for more than 95 percent of revenues.
