Ex-Kiir spokesman Ateny Wek requires deportation of international water tanker drivers – Sudans Publish

JUBA – Former South Sudan presidential press secretary, Ateny Wek Ateny has known as for the rapid deportation of international water tanker drivers who’re protesting newly imposed tariffs within the capital Juba.

The Juba Metropolis Council lowered the worth of water from 5,000 South Sudanese kilos (SSP) per drum to 2,500 SSP inside Juba and three,500 SSP within the suburbs final month. Nevertheless, water tanker drivers staged a sit-down strike, disrupting water provides to the town.

“A choice to go on strike by water-tanker house owners and tanker drivers is so lethal and is pushing this nation to the brink,” Ateny mentioned.

“Our individuals are already residing the lives of second-class residents in their very own nation as a result of many components,” he added.

Ateny mentioned that the federal government ought to intervene to cease the exploitation of residents by international water tanker drivers.

“We didn’t liberate this nation so as to stay a lifetime of third-class residents,” he suggested.

Ateny claimed that almost all authorities officers gained’t perceive residents’ anguish as a result of nearly all of authorities officers have their boreholes dug of their homes.

The water is bought to the tanker proprietor at 700 SSP per barrel (drum). Every tank capability ranges between 50/70 drums, in keeping with Ateny.

“So, 700 SSP multiply by 50 or 70 is the same as 35,000 SSP and 49,000 SSP per respective tanker. The tax is 2,000 SSP per tank,” he defined.

“Add to 35,000 SSP or 49,000 SSP, it’s 37,000 SSP and 51,000 SSP per every tank. The gas, ranges between 400,000 SSP or 50,000 to fill a full tank of diesel tanker,” Ateny famous.

In accordance with the previous presidential pressman, 5000 SSP per drum is the same as 250,000 SSP — greater than 200,000 SSP the curiosity per 50 drum-tanker and 350,000 SSP per 70-drum tanker – which to him is an act of greed.

“The federal government should intervene to cease this exploitation. Even when, it means to withdraw licenses of the international drivers and even given them few days to depart the nation,” he mentioned.

“We don’t have South Sudanese residents working in the identical counties these foreigners got here from.

“Starvation might kill human being in 8 days, a thirst in 2 or 3 days if the sufferer is confined to the room, however oxygen kills in 8 minutes. The water is subsequent to oxygen. We have to be cautious,” Ateny mentioned.