📋 Tender Overview
Construction of the countrys first arched steel bridge over the river which flows through South Sudan has been completed.The Project for Construction of Nile River Bridge in Juba South Sudan was initiated in 2012. The bridge opening ceremony was held on May 19 2022 and JICA President TANAKA Akihiko from Japan attended on site. It was his first overseas trip since assuming office. At the ceremony South Sudans President Salva Kiir stated This bridge will stand as the lasting evidence of our true friendship with the Japanese people and their government. I would like to thank the government and the people of Japan for this important gift to the people of South Sudan.Being completed after overcoming suspensions for three times due to repeated outbreaks of conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic the bridge is called by the people as the Freedom Bridge with their hopes for peace freedom and a bright future for their country.Seeking to facilitate efficient transportation and economic development with a new bridgeThe Project for Construction of the Nile River Bridge was funded by the grant aid of the government of Japan. JICA has been responsible for the supervision of the project implementation.Engineering consultant UMEDA Norio of CTI Engineering International Co. Ltd. oversaw the project as Resident Engineer since its beginning. Mr. Umeda spoke I am relieved that the project is finally complete and sincerely happy that we were able to contribute to the people of South Sudan. I appreciate the many South Sudanese workers who have worked hard patiently with us on this project.SAGARA Fuyuki Chief Representative of the JICA South Sudan Office also emphasized Both the fact that many stakeholders from both Japan and South Sudan including consultants contractors local staff and government officials overcame many difficulties through their teamwork to complete such a big project and the fact that this bridge will now contribute to improve the peoples lives and the economy are of great significance.South Sudan has gained its independence from Sudan in 2011 as the worlds newest country but the path it came through has been a series of turmoil and hardships. The country was the site of Africas longest civil war spanning half a century in which over 2 million people lost their lives. As a multi-ethnic nation of more than 60 ethnic groups social cohesion among the peoples has been still challenging even after the country gained independence. While South Sudan faces various challenges steps are being taken to build a new nation. One project meant to commemorate the nations independence with hope towards its future was the construction of the Freedom Bridge.Mr. Sagara spoke As South Sudan is a landlocked country and has extensive marshland in the center transportation is quite challenging by its nature. In addition there was a long period of civil war prior to the independence which prevented the development of transportation infrastructure. Juba Bridge the only existing bridge over the Nile River located in the capital of Juba is a prefabricated bridge built 50 years ago.Yet the Juba Bridge was the only way to transport goods from the neighboring countries of Uganda and Kenya to Juba via international highway. The international highway connects Juba to Kampala the capital of Uganda Nairobi the capital of Kenya and the Port of Mombasa in Kenya. It has been a lifeline in transporting goods for the countrys reconstruction. With traffic congestion worsening however it became important to implement urban planning that would take future population growth into account. Therefore JICA cooperated to create a plan to improve road networks and build a new bridge. The bridge construction project began in response to South Sudans hope that it would facilitate efficient international transportation and contribute to the economic recovery and growth of South Sudan. The name Freedom Bridge was coined to reflect the South Sudanese peoples wish for freedom and peace after achieving their long-awaited independence.
