Denis Logonyi
Completion of Nyamlel Bridge, connecting Aweil North and Aweil west counties of Northern Bahr el Ghazal relieves travelers of the hardship of crossing Lol River during rainy season.
Handing-over of the 13.7 million Dollar Bridge, constructed by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to the government on Thursday, last week attracted jubilation from the residents.
Hundreds gathered and ululated on witnessing the handover of the bridge that links South Sudan to Sudan border through Gok Machar.
Regina Garang, a resident of Gokmachar says the bridge has saved them from movement. Boasting of easy travels and trade boost, as a result of the bridge, Regina could not hide her excitement.
Amidst ululation from the crowd, she raised her voice high enough to express gratitude for construction of the bridge.
“Since this bridge was completed, transportation has become easy for us. You can now go to anywhere. If you want to go to Gok machar, you can board a boda boda, bicycle or a car!” she exclaimed, adding that, “if you want to go to Aweil, it’s now easy”.
Reflecting back to days before construction of the bridge, Regina casts dark image of the past, where travelers suffered delayed trips due to floods and impassability.
“But previously, transportation was not easy when it rains, you have to wait until it’s dry before vehicles can cross, without the soil getting dry no way out,” she recalled.
The163-meter-long Nyamlel Bridge, does not only connect Northern Bahr el Ghazal state counties but it links South Sudan to Sudan and rest of North African countries.
As Northern Bhar el Ghazel state, is known for rice production, residents say the bridge will boost trade between Sudan and South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Mary Awok Tong, a resident of Marial Bai, Aweil West County, echoes that the new bridge has saved them from river accidents.
“Before this bridge was constructed, people used to cross the river using a canoe, but now since it was constructed everyone is happy. Now a car can cross well, and because of the happiness that’s why we came from Marial Bai,” Awok said.
As hand-over of the bridge was a reason to celebration for those who experienced hardship crossing the river, Awok couldn’t afford to be left out, she travelled to cheer the development.
“If you have a motorcycle, a bicycle or on foot, you move with your head high. Those who made this bridge, may God bless you so that you can do more than this,” Awok raised her hands up the sky, praying to God for construction of the bridge.
More appreciative over the bridge than others, is Barjok Angok, a rickshaw operator whose lifeline depends on plies of Aweil-Gok Machar road. The new bridge doesn’t only boost his business but also saves his life from accidents which were common at the spot.
“If the bridge was not opened, I could not go to other places but since it was open I can now move. And as you can see, I am going to Gokmachar,” Angok said.
Construction of the bridge has come with increase in daily earning for the Rickshaw operator.
“If I wake up early, from Aweil to Gok Machar, I could move two trips from here to Gok Machar. I am paid SSP 360,000 for two trips which isa very big benefit,” Angok boasted.
As part of the Nyamlel Bridge project package, 44km feeder roads were also constructed, but Aweil West County Executive Director, Kuon Anyuon Ayii notes that some areas still lack accessibility.
“The road from Nyamlel, to Marial Bai needs to be constructed. We also need a road from Wedwil to Mayen wulen to be constructed,” he said.
According to the executive Director, more feeder roads are needed to connect villages to the towns.
“Sick people in those areas can’t access the health Centre in Nyamlel and they can’t go to Aweil because of floods across the roads,” Kuon explained.
However, deputy governor of Northern Bhar el Ghazel state, Tong Lual Ayat cautioned residents against misuse of the bridge.
“This road will connect us with northern Sudan and we will facilitate the trade between the two countries. But I would say that the responsibility of the road and bridges belongs to you,” Tong remarked.
He entrusted the community to be responsible.
“This asset is owned by you. It is handed over to the community. The responsibility is yours. Take care of it,” the deputy governor charged.
Despite several bridges constructed, maintenance remains a big challenge to the ministry of roads and bridges.
National minister of roads and bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak assured that the government will exert more effort to inspect the bridges in the country.
“I want to assure the European Union on behalf of the people of South Sudan that the Ministry of Roads and Bridges will continue to conduct inspection of this bridge and all bridges which are constructed in South Sudan so that the issues of timely maintenance and intervention is achieved. This will be conducted by our local companies,” the minister said.
Nyamlel Bridge is part of the European Union Trust Fund feeder road projects funded by the EU and implemented by UNOPS. The project commenced in August 2020.
Partially opened to the public in May 2023, the bridge is now completed and fully operational.
An initiative aimed at improving road connectivity, trade, ease movement of goods and services, Nyamlel Bridge also boost movement of refugees as well as returnees from Sudan.
During the second edition of Juba Economic Forum, the national minister of roads and bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak outlined that the cabinet approved 13 major priority highways, including transnational routes to enhance trade.
Among the roads mentioned in the plan are, Juba-Bor-Ayod, Malakal-Renk, Juba-Torit-Kapoeta-Nadapal, Juba-Yei-Kaya, Juba-Kajo Keji, Juba -Mundri, Rumbek-Wau and Wau-Aweil high ways.
Ethiopian parliament also approved a $378 loan this month, to South Sudan to build its share of 220 Km cross border highway aimed at improving trade between the two countries.
In September 2024, Changkuoth Bichiok Reth, who was a Member of National Legislative Assembly, proposed slashing of “oil for development fund” established in 2019, but this met resistance from contractors. Mr. Malish John, the head of contractors said they still demand a lot of money from the government and were using their resources to build roads.
A report by Auditor general, published in 2023 found irregularities in the construction of Juba-Rumbek highway estimated at a cost of $700 million. Amb. Steven Wondu says they’re there were unclear financial arrangements in the construction of the highway sending a signal for fear of corruption in the process.