By Lodu William Odiya
The Government of Central Equatoria State has approved an investment proposal by Global Trading Commodities (GTC) Group amounting to USD 560 million for the establishment of a major Portland-grade cement and steel rebar industry in Kajo-Keji County.
The decision was reached during an extraordinary Council of Ministers meeting held Friday, chaired by H.E. Lt. Gen. Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, Governor of Central Equatoria State.
The memo was presented by Hon. Stephen Lado Onesimo, State Minister of Trade and Industry.
Speaking to the media, Patrick Nyarsuk, state Minister of Information and Communication, said that GTC, an international firm specializing in mining, large-scale infrastructure, project financing, and investment, has committed to constructing cement and steel rebar plants.
“The plant will have the capacity to produce 300 metric tons per day, equivalent to one million metric tons annually. This marks a historic milestone as the first major cement production in the Republic of South Sudan,” Nyarsuk stated.
He said the cabinet further directed the Ministry of Trade and Industry to ensure GTC fully implements corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, which include the construction of the Juba–Kajo-Keji Road, rehabilitation of internal county roads, and establishment of both permanent and mobile medical centers.
“The Minister of Trade and Industry is mandated to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Investment and the Ministry of Mining at the national level to ensure timely and standard implementation of the project,” added Hon. Nyarsuk.
Furthermore, he affirmed the State Government’s open-door policy to both local and international investors, emphasizing its commitment to creating a conducive business environment and unlocking development opportunities across Central Equatoria State.
The GTC investment is expected to significantly cut construction costs, boost infrastructure development, and position Kajo-Keji as a strategic industrial center in South Sudan’s emerging manufacturing center.