Construction of the Massive $10 Billion Ramciel City by the World’s Youngest Nation Still Shrouded in Mystery

The construction of the massive $10 billion Ramciel City by the world’s youngest nation is still shrouded in mystery. The nation has not provided any recent reviews or feedback on its plans but says the project is still on course. South Sudan’s vice president for infrastructure cluster, Taban Deng Gai, noted that there have been several setbacks in the construction of the mega city. One of the challenges he noted was the COVID-19 pandemic, which immensely derailed the country’s plan. He said that the delay in completing the development of the master plan for Ramciel City was due to the pandemic. The design of the conceptual layout to guide future growth and development of the proposed capital was expected to take at least a year. However, it has been a while before South Sudan’s government has offered any official feedback on the project’s progress, shrouding it in mystery.

The Significance of the Massive Ramciel City Once Completed

The significance of Ramciel City, once completed, is one that is expected to benefit the country’s social and economic landscape. Once completed, the city is expected to serve as the new capital of South Sudan. Its strategic location on the country’s landscape will facilitate easy access by the country’s residents. It will also host commercial and administrative offices that will be able to cater to the needs of South Sudan’s population. Furthermore, Mr Deng noted that the city would solve the problem of land scarcity affecting investors and the South Sudanese urban population. He also stated that the city will be constructed as a smart city, propagating the country’s technological advancements. The country has already said the master plan is ready but says that the current challenge to its project is funding. The government issued an appeal to international development partners to fund the construction of the proposed megacity.

The Contractors Involved in the Proposed Project by the World’s Youngest Nation

The world’s youngest nation has been at a standstill since proposing the construction of Ramciel City in 2017. The project brought various hands on deck to the board to help bring the project to fruition. The city secured funding to begin work from the government of Morocco following Juba’s successful courtship of the head of state, King Mohamed, during a visit earlier that year. Furthermore, a deal was made with engineers from South Korea to begin infrastructural planning. After the decision was made to relocate, the minister of Housing and Physical Planning, Jemma Nunu Kumba, was directed by the cabinet to work out plans for the relocation to the new capital.

South Korean Land and Housing Corporation won the contract out of 66 international companies that competed in the bidding exercise. In addition to infrastructural planning, the company was tasked with carrying out the feasibility study of the proposed area. However, that task in itself promised to be arduous despite the city’s sensible location. Ramciel currently has no roads or electricity provisions.

Other Significant Projects Currently Ongoing in South Sudan

Apart from the construction of Ramciel City, one of the country’s significant projects, the country also has its eyes on the Grand Fula Hydroelectric Plant. Grand Fula hydroelectric plant is an announced hydroelectric power plant in Nimule, Magwi, Eastern Equatoria, South Sudan. Fula Rapids, or Fula Falls, is a waterfall located on the White Nile in South Sudan. It is around 6.5 kilometers north of Nimule Town in Eastern Equatoria State, near South Sudan’s border with Uganda. The government of South Sudan plans to build its main hydroelectricity power station on the Fula Rapids. Still, the project has been delayed due to the country’s insecurity since 2013.