By Jacob Onuha Nelson
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, has inaugurated Lolere Bridge after an outcry from the public.
The Loree Bridge, which connects Juba to Torit, broke down last week due to heavy rain.
According to the statement extended to the media, Governor Lobong officially reopened the bridge on Monday following its successful renovation.
“The newly rehabilitated bridge was officially opened by Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, marking a significant step in restoring critical infrastructure,” it read in part.
The Eastern Equatoria State Government is said to have taken action by engaging Rhino Construction Company, a South Sudanese company involved in engineering, project management, and logistics.
According to the statement, the old bridge has been fully reconstructed and is ready for use in order to ease transportation of goods and services.
It underscored that the government decided to act due to influence from growing public frustration, including earlier reports about the bridges being risky.
“At the time, residents used to question why a state with sufficient resources could not prioritize such essential repairs, especially when businesses and commuters were heavily affected,” it stated.
The government of Eastern Equatoria reaffirmed its crucial role to ensure that other infrastructure projects receive timely attention.
The reopening of the Lolere Bridge had ensured smoother transportation and economic activity, preventing potential fuel shortages and further disruptions in Torit.