Kenya will be instrumental in southern Sudan's reconstruction process by training its human resources and in the provision of goods and services to the vast region, officials said in Nairobi Saturday.

A statement from the Ministry of Trade issued here following a two-day fact-finding mission to southern Sudan said the east African nation would train 250,000 civil servants to provide services in the entire southern Sudan region.

"The southern Sudan authorities requested Kenya to assist in training of personnel. Kenya is willing to assist and has the capacity in customs and immigration, military training, judiciary,legislature and parliamentary training, energy sector training, cooperatives, public administration, tourism, survey and mapping, health sector, roads and teacher training," said the statement.

The emerging potentials were unlocked by the January peace accord between the Sudan's People's Liberation Movement/Army and Khartoum government which ended the 21-year civil war that devastated the region leading to the breakdown of law and order.

The Kenyan delegation which visited southern Sudan on June 7-10 expressed readiness to assist the vast region with manpower to operate and install the airport control tower in Rumbek Airport, the proposed capital for southern Sudan.

The delegation was led by Trade and Industry Assistant Minister Zaddock Syongo and included seven permanent secretaries and other senior government officials while the private sector had representatives from the chamber of commerce, association of manufacturers and private sector association.

According to the statement, the east African nation's assistance will also include training of demobilized guerrilla fighters into civilian police and military officers in Kenyan armed forces and police training institutions.

Last month, the Kenyan government announced it will send 842 troops to Sudan to help implement the January peace accord under the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.

The statement said the southern Sudanese authorities undertook to provide adequate security for Kenyans wishing to work, do business and settle in the region.

"They have agreed to put in place laws and policies that will enhance business operations -- i.e.create a conducive environment for investment," said the statement.

The Sudanese government and southern rebels signed the final comprehensive peace accord in Nairobi on January 9, marking the culmination of two years of peace process to end the 21-year-old civil war in southern Sudan, the longest-running in Africa.

Source: Xinhua