The Deputy Head of Mission, of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Sudan, comments that good Infrastructure is a developing factor in Agricultural sector.
Jan Huesken made the statement during the launch of the World Food Program or WFP Feeder Road at the outdoor space of Torit hotel.
He says his Embassy is happy to construct the 49 KM feeder road along Torit-Magwi that is supporting about 5000 farmers in terms of economic development and stability.
“We together with the government and the communities, we have decided to focus on the feeder roads because infrastructure is a critical component of agriculture development, we really want to support the government of Eastern Equatoria in its development efforts, we have been happy that we are able to connect 49 km feeder road, we are here to officially hand over to the ownership of the government and also the maintenance of the government, we expected road networks supporting a great number of people around 5000 farmers who get access to markets and we really hope that has create first step to economic, rural economy and agricultural economy contributed to stability, this feeder roads are not only for to connect produce to market but also corridors for communication”.
Eastern Equatoria State Head of WFP, Zenet Harpe, appreciates the government for rendering support to rehabilitate the road.
He says the road has helped connect rural communities to the market.
“This process is the breaking down of FAO, WFP in sitting Torit women peace building and Torit, Magwi road project to promote better connectivity for rural communities, agricultural provision to market for the benefit of the people of south Sudan’s also want to appreciate the Government of Eastern Equatoria State for the continual collaboration and their commitment to support the implementation of such crucial and timely project of the network we now go with cars, we normally go with foot there are always to help us”.
Magwi County Commissioner, Otto David Remission, calls for more support to rehabilitate other roads within Magwi County, to witness more food supply to markets.
“I am able to connect from my headquarter to the headquarter of Eastern Equatoria State by then, I used to take from Magwi to Torit 6 hours but today I can make in 30 munities. We still urge the government of Netherlands, World Food Programme or WFP Magwi is the green belt, we also request right now from Magwi to the border of Lobone, Ayachi junction to Ngomoromo, Magwi center to Juba, Magwi, Opari and Pageri and then from Amea, Abara to Owiny Kibul border. When we do all this with the roads, with the services we are able to settle our community, the returnees who may come for re-integration in their own land”.
Eastern Equatoria State Governor, Louis Lobong Lojore, comments that the construction of the road helps the population in accessing basic services.
“This road now has opened a way for the people of the two towns, to access services whether it is health, education, market and above all it also saves a purpose of bringing peace and reconciliation to these people. We are now in peace; I think it is a right time for all of us, the donors to shift away from emergency, to development. I’m also saying the development partners here we also want to go beyond and I have been saying this several times, I would like you to go to the counties”.
Torit-Magwi Feeder Road is rehabilitated by WFP with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.