Chinese firm inks MoU on feasibility study for new international airport in South Sudan
By Denis Ejulu
The South Sudan government on Thursday revealed that it has signed agreement with Chinese firm China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), to undertake feasibility study, paving way for the construction of the proposed Tali International Airport in Central Equatoria State.
Rizik Zakaria Hassan, minister of transport said that the MoU signed last week during a working visit in the Kenyan capital, will see the Chinese team working in partnership with local aviation engineers to undertake feasibility study prior to construction of the airport.
“The funding has been committed by the Chinese; you are talking about 6 million U.S dollars. That is their commitment for carrying out the feasibility study. On our side we as the government we have the land and we will be supporting with our technical staff and they (Chinese) would be embarking soon to Juba after two weeks to visit the site,” Hassan told journalists in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
The feasibility study will evaluate technical, financial, and environmental aspects of the project. Key areas of focus will include the runway design, terminal facilities, supporting infrastructure, and potential commercial opportunities.
Hassan noted that the duration of the contract with the Chinese firm for the construction of the airport will depend on the outcome of the feasibility study.
The Tali airport project was first approved by the government in 2011. It is designed to serve as a major international gateway for South Sudan, linking Central Equatoria State and the remaining 9 other States in the country.
The youngest nation currently has four international airports in Juba, Rumbek, Malakal, and Wau. The Tali project would make Central Equatoria home to a fifth international airport and at least two additional airports within the state.
