PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW CAPITAL CITY OF

SOUTHERN SUDAN

GOSS Council of Ministers

Gen. Oyay Deng AjakMinister of Investment

February 2011

Context• The Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) under the

leadership of the president, H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, is more than ever focused on the development challenges facing Southern Sudan

• Addressing these challenges will depend a lot on the ability of the Government to mobilize political will and substantial capital for investment

• The identification of a political capital of Southern Sudan and preparation for its design and development is an integral part of this strategy

Goals and Purpose of the Proposal1. Development of A NEW CITY that would become

the Capital of the independent Southern Sudan within the wider scope of the vicinity of the historical and political city of Juba.

2. To develop a modern Capital and a planned community with all best and modern urban planning/ development standards with the minimum burden on the government.

3. To engineer a planned social and architectural revolution led by sustained economic development that would become the hallmark of Southern Sudan in the next 200 years.

Why move the Capital from Juba? • To avoid the continuation of tension between

GOSS and CE State over the City of Juba• The re-planning and re-development of Juba

poses the following challenges:1. Appropriation act to withdraw individual land

parcels2. Evaluation of individual properties and land3. Bulk fund needed for compensation

(the above is a long process and costly operations and prone to corruption cycles)

Why move the Capital from Juba? (cont..)

• Litigation and court cases from people objecting the appropriation and evaluation exercises which may have immense negative aspects.

• The aggregate of the re-planning and reconstruction costs will be too high if compared to fresh construction operations

• Substantial amount of individual and governmental investments would be offset from contributing to the economy of the post-referendum Southern Sudan

Why move to a new location?• Need for a less contested zone for the seat of the GOSS• Creation of a modern City planned for 200 years with

absolute flexibility to observe any population growth and technological advancements

• Establishment of a City that would usher the socio-economic and political revolution for Southern Sudan

• Securing area for the strategic security and development of GOSS installations

• A strategic location that promote integrated business, industrial development and investment

• Attraction of significant investment into Southern Sudanese economy

Why move to a new location (con)• Creation of a business and cultural center that

will compete in the region• Put an end to the cold tension between the GOSS

and the CES Government• Open up more economic and investment

opportunities for the development of South Sudan

Options for a New Capital City

1. The Rumshiel Option

2. Another new location option

1. The Rumshiel option• First proposed and approved by the SPLM

Leadership Council in 2003• After the CPA, it was agreed that the SPLA

Military Headquarters would be built in Rumshiel

• Several companies were assigned to conduct feasibility and environmental studies to assess the suitability of Rumshiel as the Capital of Southern Sudan

• These companies found many challenges associated with the Rumshiel location

Challenges associated with the Rumshiel Location

• Swampy terrain associated with constant flooding• Difficulties and high costs associated with building

basic infrastructure and transport networks in such swampy area

• Expensive costs of supplying water and energy in and around the swampy areas

• Most of the areas are covered with black-cotton soil, which makes construction costly and vulnerable to soil movement

• Conclusion: Rumshiel deemed unfit

2. The new proposed location• The area proposed lies across the Nile spanning from Rajaf

East (mouth of Kit River) in the south and extends eastwards to Ngangala, Khor Ingliz, Longairo

• It then extends northwards through Lafon to cover southern grasslands of Jonglei State. To the west it mainly borders the Nile from Rajaf to Mangalla and northwards to Pariak

• The City would also have an extended aisle into Lakes State that would broaden to the Rumshile territories of Minkaman, Wunthou, and Kalthok

• This area is approximately 19,000 sq kilometers and would be curved from the four states of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei and Lakes

• An estimated number of 500,000 indigenous populace would fall within the premises of this proposed capital

Benefits of this new proposed location

1. Benefits to the indigenous communities

2. Environmental benefits

3. Economic Benefits

4. Political benefits

5. Benefits for the people of Juba

6. Other benefits

1. Benefits to the indigenous communities

• Over 500,000 indigenous populace would fall within the premises of this proposed capital area, thus “taking towns to the people”

• Mainly from the communities of Bari, Dinka Bor, Dinka Aliab, Lolobo, Lokaya, Mundari and Peri

• Increased access to water and grazing for their livestock

• Increased employment opportunities• Provision of social services and amenities

2. Environmental benefits• The wildlife population of the Badinglo

National Park will be adequately cared for and protected

• Improvement of eco-system in the area

• Construction of more water points for both wildlife and domestic animals

• Efficient usage of water from Kenyetti and Singetta rivers

3. Economic Benefits• Attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and

encouragement of domestic investment

• Improved transportation networks across the four states covered by the city and within the three greater regions of Southern Sudan

• Integrated economic growth across the states covered by the city

• Significant investment in infrastructure and service provision

• Development and promotion of the tourism industry

4. Political benefits• Increased and concentrated diversity which

will contribute to rapid building of nationalism and national identity

• Equal distribution of population across the four states covered by the city

• Easy accessibility to land by nationals and foreign investors

• The sense of ownership of the Capital by all Southern Sudanese is increased

5. Benefits for the people of Juba• Juba will remain a historical and tourist attraction City as

well as the capital of CES

• Some of the existing government properties would be handed over to the CES state authority

• The Government of CES will assume its full obligation to shoulder responsibility of management and service delivery to Juba

• Decongestion of Juba and ease of pressure on housing, land and social services

• The citizens of Juba and the surrounding towns (Bor, Torit, Terekeke, etc) will benefit from shared facilities with the new city (stadium, airport, etc)

6. Other benefits

• Cultural benefits - the new location to be the melting pot of Southern Sudanese cultures

• Ripple effect – the design of the new city to provide motivation that could be replicated in the 10 states of Southern Sudan

• Planned urbanization such as pre-determined population threshold

Implementation Plan and Next Steps The following steps will be undertaken once COM approves:

Formation of the National Capital Committee (NCC) Consultations with the state governments and local

communities in the areas located within this proposed area on the issue of land

An environmental impact assessment to be undertaken by reputable firms under the guidance of the GoSS Ministry of Environment

A technical survey to be conducted by a reputable firm to determine the suitability of the proposed location for urban development

The NCC to identify national/international planning firms and agree on concrete steps forward

The NCC to negotiate and sign the necessary contracts with reputable firms for the implementation and monitoring of the project

Responsibilities and deliverables of Development Companies

These may include:1. Development of a Master Plan for the New City2. Development and presentation of architectural and

engineering plans3. Development of a project financing structure

inclusive of all needed documents for fund raising4. Assist in the fundraising activities5. Handover of the completed projects on time and on

budget

TAKE

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Conclusion: Key Points• The emerging independent state of Southern Sudan

needs investment that would engender rapid economic growth, leading to sustainable development and prosperity for all.

• The development of the new city will attract investment that would relax the infrastructural constraints of Southern Sudan

• The construction of the new city will benefit everyone, including the indigenous people in the area, residents of Juba and CES government

• The modern and aesthetic capital to become a cluster of competitiveness, leading to a development respected globally

Key Decisions Sought from CoM

• The CoM to approve the proposal• The CoM to form the National Capital

Committee with the Ministry of Investment and the Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning as core members

Thank You