Jennifer James,
Residents of Guri Lemon Gaba have raised urgent concerns over water shortages, calling on the government to take immediate action. The issue affects multiple areas under the Juba City Council and Juba County jurisdictions. The crisis began last week when water tank drivers launched a silent strike in response to a directive from the JCC mayor, reducing the price per barrel of water to SSP 2,500.
Speaking on Thursday, resident Rebecca William highlighted that the community has been without water for eight days, emphasizing that ‘water is essential for life.
”It is now eight days here in Guri; there is no water; most of the water tank drivers are taking water to big people as if we are not important, she narrates. The government needs to intervene and address this.” Said Rebecca
Residents of Guri Lemon Gaba are urging the government to address ongoing water shortages affecting areas under Juba City Council and Juba County jurisdictions. The crisis began last week when water tank drivers initiated a silent strike after the JCC mayor ordered a price reduction to SSP 2,500 per barrel.
Rebecca William, a resident, stated on Thursday that the community has endured eight days without water, stressing that access to water is a basic necessity for life.
“Most of the residents of Gudele Block Five usually get water from the blue water tankers, but since the water tank drivers are on silent strike, this situation forces many people to get back to the tape, which the Japanese government constructed.” She said
According to Keji, even though many people are opting to fetch water from distribution stations as the only alternative, they still have to queue for hours to fill their jerry cans, adding that a 20-liter Jerrycan is charged SSP 100.
Keji echoed that currently the drivers of Blue Water Tanker are supplying water at night hours and very early in the morning based on a phone call.
“The water suppliers do supply water at night and very early in the morning based on the customer’s phone call; how about those who have no connection? The government needs to address this issue urgently.” Said Keji
Last week, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, Edmund Yakani, called on the government to intervene and solve the city’s water crisis.
Last month, the mayor of Juba City Council announced a new price for a drum of water, cutting it from SSP 5,000 to SSP 2,500 within the city and SSP 3,000 in the outskirts.
According to the mayor of Juba City Council, the decision was reached in consultation with urban water cooperation and water suppliers.
However, many residents reported that suppliers still charge the original 5,000 SSP per drum. In some areas, the suppliers charge even SSP6,000.
In September, the transitional national legislative assembly summoned all the relevant institutions concerning water supply, including the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadallah Wani, and the mayor of Juba City Council.