Preparations have been made to immediately start the construction of a tarmac road from Juba to Rumbek in Lakes State, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges has said.

Simon Mijok says the 400-kilometer road will be built at a cost of $700 million.

“This road is the first of its kind funded by the government of the Republic of South Sudan,” said Mr Mijok. “So, it is a pride to have an interstate highway.”

He said the construction will be completed within two years.

At the launch of the project, President Salva Kiir said the road will improve economic growth.

“If there are no roads in the country, there will be no progress,” said President Kiir.

The project is funded using loans from the Chinese government. It is planned to be completed within two years.

The Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria Manase Lomole Waya said his state government will provide security to company workers.