12/09/2024
Central Equatoria State has limited responsibility when it comes to management of water services in Juba County, Governor Augustino Jadalla Wani tells MPs at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
The governor appeared before MPs on Wednesday after being summoned to answer questions on high prices of water in Juba County.
The national government took over the responsibility of managing water from the State government including electricity following the establishment of the then Southern Sudan government (GoSS), said the Governor according to a statement by the Office of the Governor-Central Equatoria State.
Governor Jadalla told the lawmakers that the role of the State is supporting and helping South Sudan Water Urban Corporation in crisis and disputes management where necessary.
Hon. Pal Mai Deng, the South Sudan Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation also appeared in the August House on the same matter admitted that the mandate of managing water services lies with the national Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
Governor Jadalla urged the August House to treat the issue of high water prices as a “national security issue" and handle it "with utmost care".
"Focus should be put on the establishment of a piped water system and there is a need for the government to consider subsidies on fuel and other water treatments,” Governor Jadalla suggested to the lawmakers.
Among the resolutions passed by the members of Parliament aimed at addressing the water high prices included directive for the national Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, South Sudan Urban Water Corporation and National Revenue Authority to coordinate on issues of handling charges and taxes on water management.
The stakeholders in the water management have also been directed to consider subsidizing prices of fuel for water tankers. And the Ministry of Interior has been directed to ensure and prohibit traffic police officers from extorting money from water tankers.
The Governor was accompanied to the parliament by the State Minister of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities, Commissioner of Juba County, and Mayor of Juba City Council.
Photo by Office of the Governor - CES
