South Sudan news – Land survey and mapping to go underway soon for new capital city

SURVEYS FOR NEW SOUTH SUDAN CAPITAL IN RAMCIEL TO START SOON
Information was confirmed from Juba, South Sudans current capital city, that a proper land survey in and around Ramciel, Lakes State, would commence soon. Only recently has the South Sudan cabinet, or council of ministers as it is called, decided that the new capital city should be moved from Juba to Ramciel, where a purpose built political capital is to be established, leaving Juba arguably as the commercial capital of the new country. We have put a committee in place now to map out the way forward. There must be a full land survey to make sure that the area chosen is suitable. We have to build roads, a complete infrastructure, maybe even an airport, government buildings, a State House, hospitals, schools and so forth. It will be an administrative city, not an industrial city but there will be provisions for service businesses of course though maybe not manufacturing. This move is also to honour our late leader Dr. John Garang, who was committed to move the capital to Ramciel. It will be a challenge but we will make it happen. The committee is looking at financing options and they will brief President Kiir and parliament when they have completed their findings and recommendations. This will be a well planned new city in the heart of our new country said a regular source from Juba, also dismissing fears that investments in Juba may be rendered useless. Those with factories, hotels and other businesses in Juba need not fear. Of course their investments are safe. It is the political capital which is being separated from the commercial capital, and from the capital also of Central Equatoria state. It will have little influence of doing business in South Sudan and we expect to have government offices as liaison in Juba.
The process though is considered to be taking a considerable period of time, considering the cost of the exercise and the already strained budget of the new country, where job creation and a completely new infrastructure of roads, bridges and public services still is the number one priority of a government already quietly eyeing the next election cycle. Watch this space.