Western Equatoria State Governor commissions local bridge rehabilitation

By Bida Thomas

The Governor of Western Equatoria State, Alfred Futuyo Karaba has instructed the start of work for the rehabilitation of Yubu Bridge along the Sukare road in Yambio town on Friday during a visit to the local bridge. Work will begin on Monday next week.

Speaking at the site, Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba appealed for collaborative work between the community and contractor to ensure the project which is expected to finish in August is a success.

He also pledged five million South Sudanese Pounds (approximately 10,700 US Dollars) as a contribution from the Western Equatoria State Government towards the rehabilitation project.

“Let us work together as the government, community and partners and start the work of this bridge. As we agreed earlier, the community will breakdown the stones and collect sand while the government will transport and construct the bridge,” Alfred Futuyo said.

A community leader in Sakure, Martin Pascal commended the state government efforts in improving infrastructure noting that the bridge has been a menace especially during rainy seasons cutting community members from basic services like health, education and access to Yambio town market.

On his part, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) head in Western Equatoria State, Christopher Murenge assured the state government and community of his organization’s support towards successful accomplishment of the bridge rehabilitation to ensure communities in the area have unhindered access to basic services.

Yubu Bridge which is nineteen kilometers away from Yambio was built in 1972 and roughly rehabilitated by UNICEF in 2019.

In a related development, Western Equatoria State Government has also started the construction of an office for the State Parliament Speaker.

Since his appointment last year, Western Equatoria State Governor Alfred Futuyo Karaba has been in the forefront of spearheading development projects across counties of Western Equatoria.