Africa Development Bank approved 43 million US dollars to support youth & women enterprise and agricultural activities in South Sudan. The government signed the agreement on Tuesday morning during a news briefing at the Ministry complex in Juba.
The national minister of finance and planning, Hon. Agak Acuil Lual says the money will benefit the targeted population through loans and capacity building, particularly young people, and women.
Acuil says the government institutions and partners would implement the projects to ensure the aims goals are achieved.
“The most important thing I want to emphasize to our institution and partners is to implement this project well as stated in the grants agreement to empower the youth and women,” Acuil said. He warned the institutions that would be involved in the implementation to let the people benefit and avoid corruption.
The African Development Bank’s country manager, Themba Bhebhe, commended South Sudan for a good partnership.
He says the institution will continue to provide more projects to improve the living standard of South Sudanese people. Mr. Themba called for accurate reporting and successful implementation to ensure it benefits the target group in this country. “The African Development Bank remains very optimistic for the successful implementation of this project. This is just the beginning,” Themba said.
Food and Agriculture Organization, Head of Program, Felix Dzvurumi, say the grants will elevate the situation of floods and drought in some parts of the country. Mr. Dzvurumi says the money would help address the looming hunger and drought in Kapoeta counties and parts of the badly affected by the flood.
The project is also expected to improve the rice scheme irrigation, vegetable farms, and livestock in Aweil and Kapoeta.
The national minister of youth and sports, Dr. Albino Bol Dhieu, and Agriculture, Josephine Lagu, participated in the grant agreement signing ceremony.