WHO CAN SOLVE JUBA’S UNENDING WATER PROBLEM?

By Filberto Mayuot Mareng

The acute problem of water supply in Juba that has been so severe these days is a consequence of the 2013 crisis. Before the eruption of the crisis, the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA), was implementing a water project in Juba that would have finally addressed the problem.

However, the project was disrupted by the 2013 war and subsequent conflict.

Now that peace has returned and no indications of JICA resuming work on the project, South Sudan Urban Water Corporation and Juba City Council should take the responsibility of rescuing people from water shortages.

Water suppliers– mostly foreigners have become increasingly unreliable. They increase water prices citing the biting economic challenges. The government, too, doesn’t appear to be able to coerce them into accepting reasonable prices.

Sine last week, some areas in the town have remained without water because these water suppliers are resisting attempts to reduce the prices. This is, of course, the natural consequence of foreigners dominating this type of business.

If our government is really concerned with the welfare of it people, the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation and Juba City Council could have taken up the responsibility to address the problem by providing water tanks operated by them until that time when JICA resumes and completes the water project in Juba.