08/08/2025
Two Vice Presidents Meet to Discuss Infrastructure and Economic Projects.
Juba, South Sudan – Vice President and Chair of the Infrastructure Cluster, Gen. Taban Deng G*i, met with Vice President and Chair of the Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, to discuss the progress of key national development projects. The meeting, which took place on August 8, 2025, focused on a range of initiatives aimed at improving South Sudan's infrastructure and economy.
Bentiu Refinery Expansion
A primary topic of discussion was the Bentiu Refinery. While currently operational, it is running at a small capacity. The two Vice Presidents agreed on the urgent need for further investment to bring the refinery to its maximum capacity of 10,000 barrels per day. This expansion would enable the production of 820 metric tons of diesel and 400 metric tons of bitumen (asphalt). Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel committed to engaging with the leadership of SNP, a joint venture between Nile-Pet and Safinat that owns the refinery, to secure the necessary funding.
Road Maintenance and Construction
The officials addressed the critical issue of road maintenance, particularly in the Equatoria and Bar-el-Ghazal regions, where heavy rains threaten to damage existing roads. To ensure timely repairs and continued construction, the Vice Presidents stressed the need for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to pay sub-contractors promptly and to prevent the diversion of funds allocated for road development.
They also announced that sub-contractors for several key roads—Bor-Gadiang-Ayod-Malakal-Renk, Gadiang-Akobo, and Bor-Pibor-Pochalla—are scheduled to resume work in October 2025. Once paid, these companies will begin stockpiling red murram at the Malith-Thor junction to expedite construction.
Other Major Projects.
The meeting also reviewed the status of other significant projects:
Juba-Yei-Kaya Road
Rumbek-Bentiu-Jau Road
Tharjath Refinery: A new refinery project with a proposed capacity of 50,000 barrels per day.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel will follow up on these three projects with the Office of the President, with support from Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro. The two road projects are slated for financing through a loan, while the Tharjath refinery will be developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) system.
Improving River Transport
To facilitate trade and the delivery of humanitarian aid, the Vice Presidents called for the immediate removal of illegal taxation along the Nile River and other waterways. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel committed to working on an urgent solution for food delivery to the population of Fangak county, particularly in Pham El Zaraf, where starvation is a concern.
Nimule Weighbridge Investment Dispute
The issue of the Nimule weighbridge, the country's only one, was also discussed. Built by GS Construction Co. Ltd. on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project was completed and launched in February 2025. The agreement stipulates that the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) collects fees, which are then disbursed to an escrow account to benefit GS Construction, the Ministry of Roads and Bridges, and the SSRA.
GS Construction, which took a loan from KCB to finance the project, is required to service this loan from the collected revenues. The Vice President for the Infrastructure Cluster brought the issue of payment delays to the attention of the Economic Cluster, highlighting that a failure to honor such investment agreements could deter future investors. Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and promised to address it with the National Revenue Authority (NRA).
Call for Peace
The two Vice Presidents concluded the meeting by appealing to the public for peaceful coexistence and harmony among all communities, emphasizing that a stable environment is essential for the successful implementation of development projects like roads, schools, and clinics.
