03/10/2025
Prof. John Akech Defends JEDCO in Aristotle-Style Argument Against Price Fixing
JUBA – Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, Prof. John Akech, has weighed in on the ongoing debate over JEDCO’s electricity tariffs, delivering an argument styled after the Greek philosopher Aristotle — as if in a courtroom defense. His remarks have stirred fresh discussion on the role of government in regulating prices in South Sudan’s struggling economy.
Prof. Akech, speaking in defense of the private power distributor, likened JEDCO’s position to that of any investor-driven business, stressing that profit is central to its sustainability.
“JEDCO is a partnership operating in the private sector to provide power and make a profit for its investors,” he argued. “And if the government can determine electricity rates, then the same government can decide the prices of bread, fuel, hotel rooms, water rates, internet bundles, fruit and vegetables, and everything else, including the dollar exchange rate.”
The professor suggested that while ordinary citizens may welcome lower electricity prices imposed by government decree, such policies risk undermining business operations across the board.
“The citizens will celebrate forever, except JEDCO, hotel owners, house rent providers, fuel sellers, and everyone in the market, who will go out of business, and future investors who will avoid the country,” he said.
He concluded with a call to rethink the decision:
“And if this doesn’t sound good enough, then fixing JEDCO electricity rates needs reversing.”
Signed in his name but written “on behalf of Aristotle,” Prof. Akech’s commentary highlighted the philosophical weight of his argument, using analogy and logic to caution against what he sees as a slippery slope of government price-fixing.
The Background
JEDCO, a private-public partnership established to improve electricity supply in Juba, has often faced criticism from citizens over high tariffs and frequent outages. Recently, government intervention to review or reduce JEDCO’s electricity charges reignited public debate on whether utilities should operate strictly for profit or as essential social services.
Many citizens argue that electricity, like water and healthcare, is a basic right and must be affordable. But business leaders counter that without profitability, no investor will be willing to enter South Sudan’s fragile economy.
The Implications
Prof. Akech’s remarks reflect a broader economic dilemma: balancing public demand for affordable services with investor confidence in a market still recovering from conflict and instability. If government regulation extends too far, critics warn, it could discourage private sector growth. On the other hand, failure to address affordability could widen inequality and keep basic services out of reach for ordinary South Sudanese.
The Debate Continues
As JEDCO remains at the center of controversy, Prof. Akech’s Aristotle-inspired defense has injected a new philosophical dimension into the debate — questioning not only the economics of electricity but also the principles of free markets, government intervention, and the future of investment in South Sudan.
