The donated equipment and materials include chemicals for purifying water such as coagulant or aluminum sulfate of 105,000 kilogram for 6 months. Credit: Charles Wote/Eye Radio - December 15, 2021

Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA has handed over to the government water purification chemicals and equipment worth 323,000 US dollars.

The donation includes substances and materials for water supply and leakage repair consisting of pipes, gear for piping, water meters and flow meters.

Others include water purification chemicals such as coagulant or aluminum sulfate and calcium hypochlorite.

The donated items will assist in supplying safe and clean water to Juba residents and constant operation of the Juba water treatment plant.

It will also enhance financial sustainability of South Sudan Urban water Corporation.

Sagara Fuyuki, the Chief Representative of JICA in South Sudan told Eye Radio after the handover ceremony in Juba that the donation will help address the challenge faced by the South Sudan Urban water Corporation.

“The government of South Sudan and the people of South Sudan are facing a very critical situation especially the SSUWC has faced some difficulties to continue with the water supply because of this pandemic situation,” said Fuyuki.

“The Japanese government and JICA have decided to provide these important items so that they can repair the plants or sustain the fuel and materials to continue the operation.”

The donation is part of the Management capacity enhancement of South Sudan Urban water Corporation phase 2.

However, Joseph Ebere, the area manager at Juba Water Station says the support from the Japanese government has helped them to continue supplying people in Juba with clean and safe drinking water.

“If not for the donations from JICA, we would have stopped long ago but the assistance we got from Japan through JICA, we are able now to continue supplying Juba with clean and safe drinking water,” Joseph said.

The handing over ceremony was witnessed by Yar Paul Kuol, the Managing Director of South Sudan Urban Water Corporation and Watanabe Tomoko, First Secretary, Economic Cooperation Department, Embassy of Japan among others.