The European Union Delegation to the Republic of South Sudan on Thursday officially handed over Nyamlel Bridge to the National Ministry of Roads and Bridges in a colorful event attended by local community members, students, pupils, organised forces as well as European Diplomats and UN agency representatives.

The European Union Funded 163-meter-long bridge was built across the Lol River under the "European Union Trust Fund - Feeder Roads Project which commenced in August 2020.

The Nyamlel Bridge project also encompassed, at a total cost of 13 million euros, the construction of 44 kilometers of feeder roads and seven WASH facilities in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal states.

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EUDSSD

According to the accounts of the local authorities and community members, the bridge directly benefits over 750,000 people by connecting Aweil North to Aweil West counties as well as to Sudan. It will provide the population a better access to services and farmers access to markets thus building cohesion and trust between communities. It will increase safety and reduce time and cost for transport and also provide for better access for humanitarian work. All of this is made even more important as the bridge and the road provide a corridor to Sudan.

EUDSSD

Speaking to the mammoth crowd that gathered to witness the historical bridge’s handover, the European Union ambassador Timo Olkkonen could not hide his admiration for possibly the best reception he has received in South Sudan.  

“What a warm welcome we have received here!  I am happy to witness the milestone achieved today in Nyamlel. We are not only literally building bridges but also building peace,” Ambassador Olkkonen said.

“The bridge and the feeder road improvements have made daily life easier for citizens and represent a tangible outcome of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy, which invest in better connectivity infrastructure to promote sustainable development globally. For the long term success of this initiative, I urge the local authorities and community to make effective use of the equipment and assets that have been handed over, particularly the ongoing maintenance of this bridge and the feeder roads.”

EUDSSD

Similarly, according to UNOPS Country Manager, Ms Petronella Halwiindi, the completion of these essential feeder roads and WASH facilities has improved access to clean water, health care, education and agricultural inputs. "Together, these improvements have led to a reduction in transaction costs and the emergence of mobile community markets along the routes, contributing to improved livelihoods for local communities," Ms Halwiindi said. 

Both Prof. Simon Mijok Mijak, the National Minister of Roads and Bridges and Hon. Biar Madut, the National Minister of Transport, who represented the national government, applauded the European Union for its continuous support towards South Sudan’s very much-needed infrastructure and rural development. This is the second bridge the European Union Delegation through its partners constructed and handed over to the government of South Sudan after the Kwacjok Bridge in 2018 in recent times.

The Dutch ambassador to South Paul Tholen, UNOPS Country Representative, Petronella Halwiindi, WFP’s Country Deputy Representative, Shaun Hughes, Northern Barh el Ghazal State Deputy Governor, Dr. Thomas Chol Ayat, State Minister for Transport, Roads and Bridges as well as state legislators, community chiefs youth and women groups also attended Nyamlel Bridge’s handover ceremony.

The EU Trust project was designed to complement and build on the successes of previous EU-funded initiatives in Northern and Western Bahr El Ghazal, where rural infrastructure development has led to significant improvements in connectivity and access to essential services.