The Juba water supply project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be commissioned on Thursday.
A statement issued by JICA ahead of the inauguration, said that before the independence of South Sudan, the residents of Juba city faced numerous challenges related to safe and clean drinking water supply.
“These challenges were exacerbated by the rapid increase of population. Juba city’s water supply facilities were constructed in 1930s and rehabilitated in the Multi -Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) in 2009 to restore some functionality,” it disclosed.
It noted that this development increased the daily production capacity to 7,200 m3/ daily but was not able to keep up with the population growth.
“In addition, the water distribution pipe network was aging and leaking at many locations. Due to the lack of basic social services, many people were forced to live on unpurified raw water from the Nile River, which was hazardous to their health and forcing them time-consuming and laborious work to get water from distant wells,” it said.
JICA conducted a development study “Juba Urban Water Supply Capacity Development Study in Southern Sudan” from 2008 to 2009 and prepared a comprehensive plan proposing necessary water supply volume and facilities.
“Based on this plan, the Japanese government decided to implement the Grant Aid project called “Project for Improvement of Water Supply System of Juba in South Sudan”.
The project included not only a new water treatment plant but also water distribution networks. The construction began in 2013, immediately after the independence with high expectation from the citizens of Juba.
JICA said that the construction period lasted 10 years, due to two conflicts in the country and the spread of COVID-19.
“The completion of new facilities is not only the symbol of the friendship between Japan and South Sudan but also the symbol of the peace and stability, bringing tangible benefits by development,” it said.
It disclosed that the technical handover of the new Juba Water Treatment Plant to the South Sudan Urban Water Cooperation (SSUWC) was done on 27th January 2023.
JICA said the water supply project will benefit about 350,000, 10 times more than the previous number.
“This project will also contribute to the improvement of the living environment and public health of the population in Juba city,” it said.
