S. Sudan to pay Chinese road constructors in form of crude oil

S. Sudan to pay Chinese road constructors in form of crude oil

The Chinese government has agreed to build roads across the country in exchange for crude oil, says President Salva Kiir.

The agreement came about, during a sideline meeting between Kiir and his counterpart Xi Jinping at the China-Africa Cooperation Conference held in Beijing last week.

The summit aimed at strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation between China and African nations was attended by 51 heads of state.

“We agreed the road from Nadapal all the way to Torit and to Juba and again from Juba down the road to Rumbek and to Wau,” said President Kiir.

“We agreed that South Sudan will not pay them any cash but they will come with whatever they have from their money, they build the roads and we give them crude oil.”

President Kiir said South Sudan will pay China in crude oil to avoid funds from going into pockets of individuals.

“I decided that the infrastructure or whatever that we want to be done by foreign companies has to be done in exchange for crude oil because our people don’t want to see money. If they see money, their hands start shaking,” said Kiir, who was speaking to a congregation at St Theresa Cathedral in Juba on Sunday.

It is not clear how many barrels of crude oil will be paid for the road construction by China.

eyeradio