The Government of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of South Sudan to install solar panels to generate electricity in the rural areas in the country.

The electricity project director, Bunker Roy, who spoke on behalf of the Indian Government, says there are 400 solar panels to be installed in South Sudan.

“The Government of India has approved about 400 hundred solar units to be installed in the country of South Sudan free of charge,” said Mr Roy.

“But we expect from the community in return to look after the repair and maintenance.”

The Bishop of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, Elias Taban, who spoke on behalf of the communities, said the project will start in Kenyi Payam of Lainya County in Central Equatoria State.

“We took this project to Kenyi also as an indication that tribalism cannot take us far,” said Bishop Elias.

“This does not mean the end of it and we have already spoken to the chiefs from the Payam who are here that we want make sure that this project succeeds so that the rest of the Payams in South Sudan also gets this lighting.”

According to technical assessment conducted, the project is expected to start early next year.