European Union Ambassador to South Sudan, Christian Bader visited Warrap, Lakes, Western and Northern Bahr El Ghazal states visit beneficiaries of feeder roads project. The visit took place as from 10 - 12 August 2021 - credit | UNOPS | August 10, 2021

At least 44 million euro was spent in construction and rehabilitation of 170 kilometers of feeder roads in greater Barh El ghazal, the European Union has said.

The construction of the road that took about six years to complete was implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

This week, European Union Ambassador to South Sudan, Christian Bader visited Warrap, Lakes, Western and Northern Bahr El Ghazal states to visit beneficiaries of feeder roads project.

“The generous funding from the European Union, totaling 44 million euros, enabled the construction of over 170 kilometers of feeder roads in Warrap, Lakes, Western and Northern Bahr El Ghazal states,” said a statement by the European Union.

“These roads, constructed between 2016 and 2020, link farmers to markets and have significantly reduced the travel time between farms, homes, markets, schools and other social amenities.”

It says the roads have also enabled traders to reach the hinterland and buy farm produce directly from the farmers thereby providing better prices to the farmers by eliminating the agents.

The statement stated that local traders use the completed roads to deliver farm inputs closer to the farmers.

“The EU is committed to help in making sure feeder roads connect to main roads. This will improve security and allow goods and services to reach all parts of the country,” said Ambassador Bader.

The European Union says children can now access schools at ease and communities can access better health care in other localities.

It also says the project directly responds to sustainable development goals 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), eight (decent work and economic growth), three (good life and wellbeing) amongst other goals.

Minister for Roads and Bridges in Warrap state, Victor Chol Bol said the state government will work together with its development partners.

“I want to thank UNOPS for the work they have done in our states, especially roads and bridges, and the work is still continuing and we work side by side,” said Victor Chol Bol.

Speaking about the project, UNOPS Country Representative to South Sudan, Peter Mutoredzanwa said UNOPS will work alongside communities and institutions in the country.

“It is part of UNOPS DNA to work alongside communities and ensure that communities and institutions in South Sudan have the right capacity to maintain the infrastructure built with support from our development partners,” UNOPS Country Representative said.

“This is a sustainable approach which moves communities from being recipients of development aid but to take ownership and enable them to maintain infrastructure by transferring skills and knowledge.”

South Sudan is one of the most food-insecure countries in the world and it is estimated that half of the population lives below the poverty line.

The country suffers from a critical lack of infrastructure, which prevents farmers from getting their produce to the markets.

Despite these challenges, according to EU, there is enormous potential to increase food production and enhance the country’s agricultural output, with approximately 75 percent of South Sudan’s land area considered suitable for farming.

The European Union said boosting local food production and improving food security will requires addressing South Sudan’s pertinent infrastructure issues.

In December 2014, the European Union and UNOPS teamed up to construct and rehabilitate over 170 kilometers of  feeder roads and construct four markets in Warrap, Lakes, Northern and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal states.