The Republic of South Sudan and China have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will foresee construction of Torit International Airport. This airport project will be located at the capital of Eastern Equatoria. Furthermore, Chinese firms will be accorded with mining tasks in the country.
The implementation of this mega project in the country will be overseen by the ministerial Economic cluster. It will be crucial in speeding up both the regional infrastructure and also the mining sector. This was revealed by the secretariat Chairperson, Othom Rago.
Project Factsheet
Name: Torit International Airport
Contractor/Developer: Long Star Engineering Company
Location: Eastern Equatoria
Cost: Unknown
Capacity: Unknown
Contractor/Developer of the Torit International Airport Project
The Chinese firm that has been tasked with this project is National Trust Corporation and Long Star which is a Technology company. This MOU was signed on Wednesday.
However, the South Sudanese government did not reveal the construction cost of the airport project or how it will be financed when the tasked Chinese firms kick off the landmark project.
Also read: The South Sudan-Djibouti Crude Oil Pipeline Project
Details Regarding the Project
Speaking live on the state-owned television SSBC, Rago stated that further details which regard the timelines and even the operational phases of the project’s development initiated will be soon shared to the public.
“They have just signed a memorandum of understanding with the Chinese companies. The agreement signed was concerning the construction of Torit International Airport and mining operations of the Chinese firms. Therefore, further details on when they will commence their operations will be revealed later,” he stated.
The Managing Director of Long Star Engineering Company assured South Sudan that the company was confident in constructing a high-quality airport for the country.
“The engineering team of my company has built over five airports in the entire African region. Therefore, we have enough confidence and capacity to ensure the project is delivered.”
“We are going to build the Torit International Airport and complete it in good scheduled time and ensuring quality is met.”
Similar Projects
The agreement that was reached comes in despite the stalling of the Akon International Airport that is located in Gogrial West County of Warrap state. The government had revealed that this airport project would be completed in a period of two years. Unfortunately, this has not been met.
Currently, the largest operational airport in South Sudan is the Juba International Airport. This airport is also the busiest and has a capacity of 1,300 passengers in a single day. The construction works of the Juba International Airport commenced in the year 2014 and were completed in 2017.
Another international airport in the country is the Malakal International Airport. This airport serves the city of Malakal, and it is located in the Upper Nile State. It possesses a single asphalt runway that measures 2,000 meters by 38 meters.
Therefore, the completion of Torit International Airport in South Sudan will increase the total number of international airports in the country to 4. This will be elevating the country’s status as an aviation hub in the East African region.
Also read:Chinese Firm to Construct Modern South Sudan Oil Refinery
