Launch of $53-million ASSIST project. (Photo: Madrama James/Eye Radio).
Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai has launched a $53-million electricity access project funded by the World Bank and Japan to power Juba and other areas of the country.
The ASSIST project is expected to provide electricity to streets in Juba and schools and hospitals Yei in Central Equatoria State, and Malakal in Upper Nile State.
Vice President Deng – addressing the occasion on Thursday – underscored the crucial role of reliable power supply in promoting sustainable development.
“On behalf of my President, let me congratulate the Minister of Energy and Dam for convening this very important event. I’m a trained cadre of the SPLM and when we talk of taking town to the village, one of the very important aspect of taking town to village is electrification,” Taban said.
“So ASSIST, goes in line with the objective of why the SPLM liberated South Sudan. So congratulations and your partners we congratulate you and we thank you so much.”
On his part, the Minister of Energy and Dams Peter Marcello, echoed the government’s commitment to expanding energy infrastructure across the region.
Marcello said the objective of ASSIST project is to increase access to electricity as well as strengthening the institutional capacity of the energy sector through expansion of electricity network in Juba and other areas.
“The project include installation of Mini-Grid pilot system in Yei of grid electrification of Health and selected Public Institutions to stand alone solar system in Upper-Nile region and providing technical assistance and capacity building to the energy sector.”
Aya Oguri, Head of Cooperation from the Japanese Embassy, emphasized Tokyo’s long-standing commitment to supporting sustainable energy solutions and acknowledged the importance of international partnerships in achieving developmental goals.
“I’d like to reaffirm Japan’s unwavering commitment to being a reliable partner for South Sudan. Our cooperation is founded on mutual respect and shared goals, and we will continue to support South Sudan’s journey for sustainable development,” she said.
“Together, we can create a future where every community, no matter how remote, has access to the opportunities and resources needed to survive.”
For his part, the World Bank Country Director, Charles Undeland, said access to electricity is a foundation for economic development.
He noted that South Sudan has one of the most expensive electricity tariffs in the East African region.
“Power is one of the fundamental ingredients for the country to move ahead for its people to build their businesses, to improve their livelihoods, and to deliver prosperity for themselves,” he said.
“So it goes without saying that it’s important for all of us to do our utmost to try and deliver as much as we can on the energy agenda. Power needs to be accessed to power. Power needs to be affordable.”
“Unfortunately, some of the costs of power here in South Sudan are among the highest in the region and globally. And so it’s going to be important for us to sort of engage in the energy sector in order to bring access and to bring affordability of power here in South Sudan.”
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