Water Crisis in Juba: Ministers and Traffic Police Enabling High Water Prices in South Sudan
PETER WEK AYOM, a concerned South Sudanese citizen
By Peter Wek Ayom, Juba, South Sudan
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 (PW) — The citizens of Juba are facing a severe water crisis as water tank drivers continue to increase prices day and night. The cost of water varies significantly by location: one 250-liter drum costs 6,000 South Sudanese Pounds in Gurei, 7,000 from Jabel Dinka to Lemon Gaba, and 8,000 in the checkpoint area. The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation appears unable or unwilling to address these escalating prices affecting Juba’s residents.
The crisis is compounded by multiple factors. Water tank drivers cite high fuel prices at petrol stations throughout Juba as a major concern. Additionally, they report being forced to pay taxes to traffic police up to ten times per day. These circumstances have transformed water, an essential resource, into a scarce commodity subject to arbitrary pricing, with each driver setting their own rates.
The situation calls for immediate government intervention. The Minister of Water should implement stronger regulations within Juba City, including a structured pricing strategy. Water’s importance cannot be overstated – the human body is 60 percent water, and it is crucial for numerous bodily functions. Alarmingly, some residents in areas like Lemon Gaba and Hai-freedom’s Muorkua area have resorted to drinking from unclean water ponds, leading to outbreaks of diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid, sometimes resulting in deaths.
The government’s inaction poses a serious threat to public health. Citizens who cannot afford the high water prices risk their lives drinking contaminated water. This crisis demands immediate attention from both the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Minister of Petroleum, who should collaboratively address the root causes of high water tariffs.
A potential solution involves the Minister of Petroleum designating specific petrol stations for water tanks at affordable prices. For instance, the Nile Petroleum station in Gudele could be allocated for tanks serving Gudele One and Two, while another station in Gurei could serve tanks supplying Gurei, Lemon Gaba, and Jabel Dinka. Similar arrangements could be made for other areas in Juba.
Traffic police practices also need reform. General Kon John Akot, Director General of Traffic Police, should address the burden of multiple daily taxes on water tank drivers. A reduction to a single daily tax, comparable to public transport taxation, would help alleviate costs passed on to consumers.
The government must prioritize citizens’ access to this vital resource. Water, historically a free gift to all living things, should not be treated as an imported commodity. The situation is particularly dire given that organized forces and civil servants haven’t received salaries for ten months, from 2023 to 2024, forcing some soldiers to abandon their posts to make charcoal for survival.
Local government consultation and citizen engagement are crucial in addressing this crisis. Policies and decisions should involve input from citizens and civil society representatives to ensure effective outcomes. The Ministers of Water Resources and Petroleum, along with the Director General of Traffic Police, must provide accurate, transparent information and allow civil society participation in finding solutions.
The views expressed in this ‘opinion’ article published by PaanLuel Wel are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the author’s responsibility, not PaanLuel Wël Media. The writer, concerned about South Sudanese residents of Juba, can be reached via email: wekpeterayom@gmail.com.
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