The $25 Billion Lapsset Infrastructure Project will connect East Africa. (Courtesy).

The Executive Director of the South Sudan Roads Authority said insecurity is a major factor impeding the implementation of the South Sudan phase of the Lapsset Project.

The Lapsset Corridor Program is a regional flagship project intended to provide transport and logistics infrastructure aimed at creating easy connectivity between the Eastern African Countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

The project connects a population of 160 million people in the three countries.

It started with the construction of the first three shipping berths at the Lamu port was launched by the presidents of Kenya, South Sudan, and Ethiopia in 2013.

Kenyatta Benjamin Warile, the head of the South Sudan Road Authority said the years of conflict have diverted resources to what he terms as destructive activities.

“If we resolve our security issues, these countries could do it because they were not fighting, so peace and security are paramount,” said Benjamin.

“Remember conflict diverts a lot of resources to destructive activities, you have to buy weapons you have to buy ammunition you have to spend on these operations.”

He however said he hopes to see the security budget reduced and more budget allocated for infrastructural development as the country transitions to lasting peace.

“But when you are peaceful your security budget will be reduced because you will only spend to keep the law and order situation calm, the majority of what you save can be applied to development and infrastructure.”

“We can provide that once we resolve our political and security issues.  If we continue to have it then our phase is bound to be affected by the other challenges, we have.”

The significant infrastructure project will link Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan then later Uganda, Rwanda, Central and Western Africa.