JUBA, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Thursday renewed a contract with a Chinese firm, Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co., Ltd (SDHS) to pave the way for the construction of a major highway linking the capital Juba to the western parts of the country.
Taban Deng Gai, South Sudan vice president for the infrastructure cluster in the coalition government, said the contractual terms have outlined the standards and modalities that will guide the construction of the 392-kilometer Juba-Terekeka-Yirol-Rumbek road.
"The cluster deliberated on the modalities and guarantee for Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co, Ltd to construct Juba-Rumbek highway to the standard highway that includes new technology and latest designs with full feasibility studies on environmental impacts," Gai said in a statement issued in Juba.
He said that SDHS together with the Ministry of Road and Bridges authorities have agreed that 80 percent workforce should be sourced locally as provided by South Sudan's Labor Act of 2017.
The new deal will also see the Chinese firm install 10 modern standard bridges, 35 box culverts, 300 pipeline culverts, and 21 viaducts along the highway.
Minister of Road and Bridges Simon Mijok Mijak said the committee agreed with the contractor that the road alignment must avoid wetlands and urban canters to maintain a reasonable level of services and traffic speed on the highway. Enditem
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