President Salva Kiir during the launch of Japanese-funded Water Treatment plant in Juba/photocredit, Moses Awan

President Salva Kiir on Thursday launched the long overdue Japanese-funded water treatment plant that is expected to supply clean drinking water to 389,000 Juba residents.

The project implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has the capcaity to pump 10, 800 cubic meters of clean drinking water daily.

The construction estimated to have cost the government of Japan 48 million US dollars stalled thrice, in 2013, 2016, and 2019 due to conflicts and the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the launch following its successful completion , the project will also help improve people’s health and reduce waterborne disease spread.

Speaking during the inauguration, President Salva instructed the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation to manage and maintain the new water plant.

“The challenge in front of us is how we will maintain the water supplies system that we have received today for the benefits of Juba residents,

“I want to say that, this project will serve our people for a long time,

“Therefore I am instructing all leaders who are here today especially the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation to exert efforts to effectively manage, operate and maintain this water supply system for the benefit of our people,” he said.

Speaking during the same occasion, the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan also emphasized the need to manage the new water project well.

“Effective water management by the leaders, including expanding water sources and setting water use regulations,will  tremendously reduce inter-communal disputes and violence, and helped bring peace to the local communities said Tsutsumi Naohiro.

The project was implemented by DNC and Toyo Engineering consultants through the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and South Sudan Urban Water Corporation.

South Sudan’s government contributed the project about 550,000 US dollars in kind.