20 June 2013 – Juba The South Sudan Recovery Fund (SSRF) handed over the new 85km Warrap—Akop—Pakur—Mashraar road to the Government of Warrap State on Monday 17 June in a ceremony held in Warrap town, Tonj North County.
Honourable Governor of Warrap State, Nyandeng Malek , Honourable Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mary Jervase Yak, as well as the Honourable Deputy Minister of Roads and Bridges, Mijak Simon Mijok, UNDP Country Director, Balázs Horváth, and Head, DFID South Sudan, Elizabeth Carriere officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony. In attendance were also Embassy and Donor representatives from the UK, Netherlands and Norway.
This road construction project, implemented under the Warrap Stabilization Programme (WSP), was funded by the SSRF, through contributions from the Governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development. The WSP was developed, coordinated and monitored by coordinated by UNDP, and the road project was implemented by UNOPS.
Honourable Mary Jervase Yak, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, in her address to the public highlighted that the new road significantly improves security and economic viability for the state and the community at large. “This road network will facilitate free movement of our people and goods.” She commended the role of UNDP, UNOPS and the Governments of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom for supporting and financing the road.
Stressing the importance of the road in promoting security and economic development in the state, the Honourable Governor of Warrap State, Nyandeng Malek noted that the state will no longer be cut off from the rest of the country as it used to be during the rainy season. “You will worry less about security, health, education and the movement of goods.” She emphasized that the Government as well as the community are jointly responsible for the maintenance of the road.
Welcoming the celebrants, the community leader emphasized the added economic importance of the new road network. “This particular road will facilitate the development of trading centres along the road’s path. The construction work came timely, in line with the government’s vision of linking rural areas to towns and hence, service delivery to the people becomes easier, which is a top government priority.”
Balázs Horváth, UNDP Country Director, reiterated UNDP’s commitment to supporting Warrap State Government in developing and delivering programmes and projects that aim to prevent conflict and stabilize communities, so that people no longer have to live in fear. “We hope that the combined impact of these projects will contribute to an environment of peace and security, and create conditions for communities to cultivate their local economies, increase trade and commerce, achieve more sustainable livelihoods, and better access to services that their families need.”
For further information, please contact: Joseph Tabani, Communications Analyst, United Nations Development Programme, South Sudan joseph.tabani@undp.org Cell: 095 531 4795
About SSRF SSRF is a UN Multi-donor Trust Fund, chaired by Honourable Mary Jervase Yak, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and co-chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator, Toby Lanzer, to support the State Governments in order to meet the needs of their communities and citizens, through projects that enhance security, expand the rule of law, and contribute to creating an environment in which the people can live in safety and dignity.
About UNDP UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries and territories, working with governments and local communities on their own solutions to global, national and local development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the experts of UNDP and our wide range of partners.