1 November 2011 – As part of efforts to upgrade poor roads in the Upper Nile State capital Malakal, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure today launched a one-year road construction project for the town.

Present at the opening ceremony were Upper Nile State Governor Simon Kon Pouch, Speaker of the Council of States Joseph Bol Chan and State Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Rural Development James Bol Ruach.

The project, funded by the government at a cost of $90 million, will be implemented by China Sinohydro Corporation and KANO National Companies.
Sinohydro will construct 38 kilometres and KANO will work on the remaining 27.

Governor Pouch said his government would give Sinohydro all the support needed to complete the job on time.

He directed state authorities at the county level and those manning checkpoints to allow free movement of Sinohydro trucks.

"I ordered the authorities of the counties and checkpoints to exempt the construction companies from paying taxes," said Mr. Pouch.

Minister Ruach said the government's priority was to deliver services to the people. "I call upon (Sinohydro) to construct durable and strong roads which can last for (many) years."

In September 2011, the two parties signed an agreement to tarmac 38 of the 67 kilometres of roads within Malakal town.

"We will work hand in hand with the state government to make sure that the project is completed on time," said Liang Gangwe, Sinohydro's development project manager.

In October, the state government also signed a two-year infrastructural development plan with the Japanese International Corporation Agency to upgrade various services in the state, including roads.