South Sudan and Uganda governments plan to jointly construct dams for irrigation

By Adia Jildo

South Sudan’s Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation, Pal Mai Deng has presented a memo before the Council of Ministers containing a plan dubbed “the Nyemur/ Limur multi-purpose water and resource development project” aimed to construct two dams.

The Nyemur/ Limur multi-purpose water and resource development project between South Sudan and Uganda is designed to construct two dams for irrigation and water supply in Uganda and South Sudan, it also aims to construct irrigation schemes in both countries and provide water supply for both humans and livestock according to South Sudan’s Deputy Minister for Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok.

The project is estimated to cost $ 96 million, from which $36 million is meant for a dam inside South Sudan.

The Deputy Minister of information Dr. Jacob Maiju Korok, says the Council of Ministers has recommended that the Water and Irrigation Minister observes specific areas of concern such as identifying where the project will be implemented, consult with all stakeholders including local communities that are likely to be directly impacted by the project.

The White Nile River, the longest in Africa originates from Uganda, it passes through South Sudan then Sudan and Egypt. The River is a major resource for the countries through which it passes, it facilitates river transport, fishing business and hydro-power supply however, South Sudan’s government has not invested much on the Nile River.