World Bank Extends Support for Sudan Till 2012

The World Bank has extended its support to South Sudan’s reconstruction to 2012.

The World Bank’s Manager for South Sudan Dr Lawrence Clarke told the press in Juba that the Multi-Donor Trust Fund – South Sudan oversight committee has extended the funding of projects in the semi-autonomous region by two more years due to the impressive development progress.

“The MDTF-SS Oversight Committee meeting on December 15, 2010 commended the effort of the World Bank especially in the last 12 months that saw a surge in the implementation of the projects and a significant rise in disbursement of the funds”, Dr Clarke said.

“The implementation of development projects was projected to end with the expiry of the interim period after the signing of the peace deal, but this has been approved to continue beyond that period”, he said.

Dr Clarke added that 400 million US dollars has already been spent on various projects including roads, water, health, agriculture and education.

He commended the steady development in the region, describing it as “exceptional”.

“There has been an unprecedented level of spending amounting to 190 million US dollars this year in part because the government institutions are now maturing and stronger essential systems have been developed to surge project implementation”, he said.

The Multi-Donor Trust Fund – South Sudan is supported by more than ten donor partners, mostly European countries that include Britain, Norway, Canada, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and France among others.