South Sudan, Ethiopia lay groundwork for construction of Pagak-Paloch road

January 29, 2020 Ethiopia, Newsbeat

Maiwut officials and GC workers during the official launch of the road construction project, on 27 January 2020 (Photo courtesy: Baruach Uluch)

January 29, 2020 (SSNN)—Authorities from neighboring countries, South Sudan and Ethiopia have laid the foundation for the construction of the Pagak-Paloch tarmac road, a new project aimed at linking the two neighboring countries through oil-rich Paloch, Maiwut and the Gambella region.

Baruach Uluch Akolaton, State Minister of Information & Communications for Maiwut state has confirmed the launch of the new construction project, which is expected to cover 150 kilometres, from Maiwut to Paloch.

“Honorable Maj.General Bol Ruach Rom, Governor of Maiwut State, and together with Hon. Mayen Wol Jong, Undersecretary of the national Ministry of Petroleum RSS, Mr. Kenyata, Director General of Planning in the Ministry of Roads and Bridges in the Republic of South Sudan and Ethiopian Roads Authority today January 27, 2020 visited Pagak border town and Maiwut town of Maiwut State, South Sudan.”

The delegation of the two sisterly countries launched the building of the tarmac road from Pagak to Paloch,” Baruach said in a press statement.

Adding that, “The GS company, an Ethiopian Company will be constructing the road as from January 27th, 2020.”

The official pointed out that the bilateral relations between South Sudan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia will remain intake and continue for years.

“The relation between South Sudan and Ethiopia will continue to yell fruits for many years to come,” he added.

The project is part of an agreement signed by President Salva Kiir and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in February 2017.

South Sudan and Ethiopia are two neighboring countries with a distance of 1,041 kilometers (647 miles), according to GeoDatos.