The Norwegian Embassy in Juba has contributed an additional 178,000 US dollars to South Sudan’s National Archives to support the complete digitization and preservation of the country’s historical records.

The Embassy signed a deal with the Rift Valley Institute as the implementing partner on Tuesday.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Lars Petter Henie, Charge de’ Affairs of the Norwegian Embassy says the grant reaffirms the country’s commitment to ensuring good governance, stability, and peace in South Sudan.

Henie described the national archives as the hesitate of South Sudan, adding that the grant support will help strengthen the effective functioning of the institution.

“We are pleased to continue this cooperation, which began in 2012, following our Crown Prince’s pledge of support to the National Archives on 9 July 2011 as an independence gift.

“We are now moving further with a big step towards the construction of the National Archives Building. This support will strengthen the effective functioning of the National Archives as an institution,” he said.

About 60 % of the documents at the national archives have been digitalized through similar grants.

On his part, Youseff Onyalla, Director General of the National Archives thanked the Norwegian Government for the additional support to the National Archives, saying this will enable the institute to complete the remaining 40 percent of archival materials.

These include fragile documents, manuscripts, historical maps, and other vital archival materials.