Downtown Malakal. |Photo by Michael Daniel.

Upper Nile governor, James Odhok is calling on the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges to renovate internal roads in the capital Malakal.

In 2021, the national government allocated a budget for the renovation and expansion of road infrastructures in Malakal town.

The roads were badly damaged during the Civil War that erupted in December 2013.

Governor Odhok, who met Roads Minister Simon Mijok Mijak yesterday, says implementing the road renovation project will ease mobility and improve security in the area.

Speaking on state television – SSBC on Saturday, Odhok also appealed for the completion of the Juba-Bor-Malakal Highway to boost internal trade and economic recovery.

“We are saying that the tarmac roads in the area will improve the security, provide stability, and reduce prices of goods because the road will connect Juba and Malakal, and all the areas will be connected with the (national) capital,” he said.

“We are hoping by the will of God, the roads will be implemented in Upper Nile state, especially the internal roads of Malakal town as the urgent matter.”

On his part, Roads Minister Simon Mijok Mijak said the national government is in the process of building road networks in Upper Nile, Unity, and the three administrative areas.

Mijak said the government was waiting for the passing of the national budget and promised loans to implement the road projects in the targeted areas.

“We accept the complaint. The delay to implement road projects in Upper Nile or Unity state Ruweng administrative area and Abyei, plus Pibor Administrative was not intentional.”

“These are the area we are going to target this season under the current budget and also the loans which are coming for the implementation.”