South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny
The government together with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has inaugurated the newly constructed Albino Bridge in Juba.
The 12-metre Bridge that connects Malakia residential areas was constructed with funding from the Japanese government.
The Japanese Deputy Chief of Mission in South Sudan, Watanabe Tomoko said that Albino Bridge was initially built in 1969 and had never been repaired till recently.
“Due to little maintenance, the bridge was becoming old, and the foundation was deteriorating, and it was also close to the lifespan of a typical concrete structure which is 50 years. The bridge, located in the commercial area of Malakia in Kator District, was in need of replacement,” Watanabe said during the inauguration ceremony held on Friday in Juba.
The Albino Bridge was constructed with a grant from the government of Japan.
The completed Albino Bridge is one of the three bridges in Juba City whose construction was funded by the Japanese government in partnership with the Ministry of Roads and Bridges of South Sudan.
In May 2022, Japan handed over the iconic Freedom Bridge to the government.
Watanabe said that Tokyo has been actively assisting South Sudan’s effort to achieve durable peace and nation building since its independence in 2011, adding that they will continue to provide support for the self-sustainment of the South Sudanese people.
“A bridge is not just a means to cross over something. It is also a means for people to meet, I have been meeting with South Sudanese people for more than two years. I am meeting with South Sudanese people today on this bridge and I do hope that this bridge, Freedom Bridge as well as other bridges will be well looked after by the people of South Sudan to our lasting friendship,” she said.
Japan is also supporting the construction of two bridges along Kokora and Giada roads.
Watanabe said that the Japanese government has been supporting South Sudan through the peacekeeping mission (UNMISS) and also by funding development projects since 2011.
She disclosed that Tokyo has also been providing humanitarian assistance over the years to South Sudan.
Japan has invested more than 700 million U.S dollars in South Sudan.
“According to UNMISS, there are strong indications that South Sudanese want elections. Around 90% of people interviewed in a UNMISS Perception Survey said that elections are important to them, and they intend to vote. I am looking forward to hearing the date announcement for election by the government to meet the aspirations of the people in South Sudan,” Watanabe said.
