By Jenifer James
The Central Equatoria State government has implemented a new water pricing policy, reducing the price from 5,000 SSP to 4,000 SSP per barrel in response to severe water shortages in Juba. This decision follows weeks of discussions with residents, water tanker drivers, and the governor of Central Equatoria State.
Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu announced the policy in a press statement on Friday, asserting, “We are committed to ensuring Juba has access to clean piped water. The new price will be enforced across Juba City and its surrounding areas.”
Lukudu acknowledged that residents have faced exploitation by water tanker drivers and called on the national government to provide 200 water tankers to help deliver water at more affordable rates in Juba. He emphasized that access to water is not just a local issue but a matter of national security and diplomacy, necessitating careful management of relationships with neighboring countries while maintaining the state’s sovereignty.
Neighborhoods such as Gudele, Hai Referendum, and Munuki have also experienced ongoing water shortages. Last week, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, urged the government to intervene and address the crisis.
Previously, the Juba City Council’s mayor had announced a reduction in the price of a drum of water from 5,000 SSP to 2,500 SSP within the city and to 3,000 SSP in surrounding areas. However, many residents have reported that suppliers continue to charge the old price of 5,000 SSP, with some even demanding 6,000 SSP.
In September, the transitional national legislative assembly convened relevant institutions, including the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation and the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, to tackle the persistent water supply challenges.