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By Peter Wek Ayom, Juba, South Sudan
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 (PW) — The residents of Juba are dealing with a extreme water disaster as water tank drivers proceed to extend costs day and night time. The price of water varies considerably by location: one 250-liter drum prices 6,000 South Sudanese Kilos in Gurei, 7,000 from Jabel Dinka to Lemon Gaba, and eight,000 within the checkpoint space. The Minister of Water Assets and Irrigation seems unable or unwilling to deal with these escalating costs affecting Juba’s residents.
The disaster is compounded by a number of elements. Water tank drivers cite excessive gasoline costs at petrol stations all through Juba as a serious concern. Moreover, they report being compelled to pay taxes to site visitors police as much as ten instances per day. These circumstances have remodeled water, a necessary useful resource, right into a scarce commodity topic to arbitrary pricing, with every driver setting their very own charges.
The scenario requires speedy authorities intervention. The Minister of Water ought to implement stronger rules inside Juba Metropolis, together with a structured pricing technique. Water’s significance can’t be overstated – the human physique is 60 p.c water, and it’s essential for quite a few bodily capabilities. Alarmingly, some residents in areas like Lemon Gaba and Hai-freedom’s Muorkua space have resorted to consuming from unclean water ponds, resulting in outbreaks of diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid, typically leading to deaths.
The federal government’s inaction poses a critical menace to public well being. Residents who can not afford the excessive water costs danger their lives consuming contaminated water. This disaster calls for speedy consideration from each the Minister of Water Assets and Irrigation and the Minister of Petroleum, who ought to collaboratively deal with the basis causes of excessive water tariffs.
A possible answer entails the Minister of Petroleum designating particular petrol stations for water tanks at reasonably priced costs. As an illustration, the Nile Petroleum station in Gudele may very well be allotted for tanks serving Gudele One and Two, whereas one other station in Gurei might serve tanks supplying Gurei, Lemon Gaba, and Jabel Dinka. Related preparations may very well be made for different areas in Juba.
Site visitors police practices additionally want reform. Common Kon John Akot, Director Common of Site visitors Police, ought to deal with the burden of a number of day by day taxes on water tank drivers. A discount to a single day by day tax, corresponding to public transport taxation, would assist alleviate prices handed on to customers.
The federal government should prioritize residents’ entry to this important useful resource. Water, traditionally a free present to all dwelling issues, shouldn’t be handled as an imported commodity. The scenario is especially dire on condition that organized forces and civil servants haven’t acquired salaries for ten months, from 2023 to 2024, forcing some troopers to desert their posts to make charcoal for survival.
Native authorities session and citizen engagement are essential in addressing this disaster. Insurance policies and choices ought to contain enter from residents and civil society representatives to make sure efficient outcomes. The Ministers of Water Assets and Petroleum, together with the Director Common of Site visitors Police, should present correct, clear data and permit civil society participation find options.
The views expressed on this ‘opinion’ article printed by PaanLuel Wel are solely these of the author. The veracity of any claims made is the writer’s accountability, not PaanLuel Wël Media. The author, involved about South Sudanese residents of Juba, might be reached through e mail: wekpeterayom@gmail.com.
If you wish to submit an opinion article, commentary, or information evaluation, please e mail it to the editor: information@paanluelwel.com or paanluel2011@gmail.com. PaanLuel Wël Media (PW) web site does reserve the correct to edit or reject materials earlier than publication. Please embrace your full identify, a brief biography, e mail deal with, metropolis, and the nation you might be writing from.
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