Simon Mijok Mijak, the minister of Roads and Bridges addressing media after briefing President Salva Kiir on progress of the ongoing projects of Roads and Bridges across the Country - CREDIT: Office of the President - April 4, 2022

The government announced that Luri and Haboba Bridges, expected to be completed next month, will be an ‘independence day gift’ to South Sudanese.

The minister of Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok made this announcement after meeting with President Salva Kiir on Monday.

Last week, Mijok disclosed to the media that the work at Freedom Bridge in Juba has been completed and will be officially opened by President Salva Kiir next month.

The minister pointed out that the construction of both Luri and Haboba bridges, commonly known as ‘Kubri Haboba’ in Gudele, will be completed next month.

The gesture, he says, will be a gift to the people of South Sudan as part of activities to celebrate the country’s 11th anniversary.

“The bridges are being worked on, Kubri Haboba and Luri are going to finish in May and this will be our contribution to our independence anniversary,” Mijok said.

“One of the good news I got the attention of His Excellency [the President] and the people of South Sudan is that Freedom Bridge which was under construction by the Japanese is now completed and ready for opening in May.”

A new bridge, separate from the old dilapidated one, is under construction on Luri River while the road towards Mundri is being tarmacked.

Luri Bridge connects the capital, Juba, with the states of Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Lakes.

The development came after years of failed plans by the national government to fulfil its obligations towards building the bridge.

The bridge collapsed in 2012 and ever since, it floods whenever it rains heavily.

Since then, Eye Radio had been reporting the death of dozens of people and properties claimed by the bridge, especially during the rainy season.

The last widely reported incident occurred in August 2019, when the overflowing river dragged a land cruiser into the water, killing six people – including women and children.

Before that, at least six people drowned after a vehicle carrying mourners disappeared into the same Luri River in 2017.

In 2019, the National Legislative assembly allocated 86 million South Sudanese Pounds for the rehabilitation of the bridges.

The construction of Luri Bridge was launched in February last year by the A.R.C construction company.

In 2017, the government allocated over 6 million pounds for the rehabilitation of the Luri Bridge, but the construction work failed to start.

President Salva Kiir had even instructed the army engineering corps to maintain the bridge, but the army did not carry out the required maintenance.

The government says the bridge is also important in the mining sector as some minerals are being exploited in parts of Luri.