By Bida Elly David
President Salva Kiir and the Japanese government has broken down South Sudan historical water challenge by launching a newly completed water treatment plant aimed at providing safe and clean water to citizens across the Country majorly to set them free from the burden of buying unsafe water from unprotected sources.
The new water facility is a Grant Aid Project from the Government and the People of Japan implemented by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed at improving water supply system to the People of South Sudan.
The event was organized under the theme; “Safe and clean drinking water” and attended by number of participants comprising of the national, state and local governments dignitaries as well as diplomats from different Countries.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, President Kiir directed the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation to ensure proper management of the water facility as well as execute immediate provision of safe and clean water for South Sudanese across the Country.
He said that it is the role of the government to protect its own people from diseases and sicknesses got from consumption of unclean drinking water in the Country.
“To ensure that this project serves our people for a long time, I am instructing all leaders especially the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to exert efforts to effectively manage, operate and maintain this water supply system for the benefit of our people. Where authority over this project overlap, I urge intra and inter-governmental cooperation to ensure sustainability of this system,” President Kiir said.
According to the statistical analysis of beneficiaries, President Kiir said that the new water supply system is expected to reach about 350,000 residents in Juba.
The time scale report indicated that the project was initiated by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation 10 years ago with an estimated cost of 47.8 million dollars with cubic meters of 10,800.
The project is said to be capable of supplying one third of the population in Juba with water on daily basis without challenges that would be encountered at any cost.
President Kiir appreciated the government and people of Japan for their great support to the people of South Sudan noting that the gift would be a historical evidence and support to the people of South Sudan.
“This is a great developmental assistance with real impact on people’s lives and thus I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Government and the People of Japan again for another excellent gift to the people of South Sudan. Last year, we received the gift of Freedom Bridge from them and today they have given us the gift of water,” President Kiir said.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Pal Mai Deng revealed that South Sudan is facing numerous challenges ranging from the provision of safe and clean water in urban and rural areas to destructive force of flood and drought in various parts of the Country.
Minister Mai said that climate crisis and lack of investment on water infrastructure are major contributing factors to the challenges of safe and clean water across the Country.
He said that the Capital Juba has got two water plants built in 1970s with a production capacity of 7,200 cubic meters per day and two tankers filling stations as well as household water connections for more than 2,000 households managed by South Sudan.
Mai assured that despite the challenges, government is achieving its sustainable development goals by providing clean water to general population across the country saying that more effort is needed to combat the challenges.
He added that the water supply system will provide clean and safe drinking water and these curb waterborne diseases from affecting our people.
Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan, Tsutsumi Naohiro said the water supply system will prevent citizens from contracting water borne diseases, noting that water is a source of life; “without water we can’t survive”.
He said that his government remained committed to continue supporting South Sudan as long as their bilateral ties remain strong.