Stakeholders and government officials during the launch of the $68 million urban sanitation project in Juba on Monday, May 18, 2026 | Photo - Wol Mapal/Eye Radio

The South Sudan Urban Water Corporation launched the $68 million Climate Resilient Sanitation and Institutional Support Project to expand water, sanitation, and waste management services in Juba.

The project, funded by the African Development Bank, aims to upgrade sanitation systems in the capital city through implementation phases.

Speaking during the launch in Juba on Monday, Eng. Osama Mahdi, Deputy Managing Director for Technical Service and Operation at the corporation, stated that the project runs until 2028.

Mahdi explained that the first phase focuses on the rehabilitation and treatment of the water oxidation plant in Luri. The second phase involves the construction of a sewage line to serve an estimated population of 361,000 people, representing between 10 and 15 percent of Juba residents.

“We are beginning with the treatment of the oxidation plant in Luri before moving to the sewage network component that will benefit thousands of residents in Juba,” Mahdi said. “The project is expected to significantly improve sanitation and environmental health conditions in the city by 2028.”

The Managing Director of the corporation, Yar Paul, acknowledged the donors and government institutions for funding the initiative and called for cooperation among stakeholders during implementation.

“We appreciate the support from the African Development Bank and our government partners for making this important project possible,” Yar said.

She stated the corporation’s commitment to addressing water and sanitation challenges in Juba and across South Sudan.

“We remain committed to responding to water-related crises and ensuring improved sanitation services for our people,” she stated.

Meanwhile, the Acting Chairperson of the Water Resources Committee at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Magod Maker, welcomed the project and pledged parliamentary oversight.

“This project is important for the health and dignity of our citizens, and the National Legislative Assembly will ensure proper oversight so that South Sudanese fully benefit from it,” Magod said.

A representative from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, identified as Alex, also stated the ministry’s commitment to supporting the project, emphasizing the role of sanitation in urban development.

“A city without proper sanitation is a city in chaos in this modern era,” Alex said. “We are committed to supporting this initiative because sanitation is essential for public health, environmental protection, and urban planning.”

Representatives from the African Development Bank highlighted the sanitation and environmental challenges facing Juba, including the absence of a water and sanitation policy, limited faecal sludge management capacity, and a lack of coordination among institutions in the sector.

They noted that South Sudan faces vulnerability to climate change due to execution policies and infrastructure limitations.

According to the bank, the project aligns with South Sudan’s goal of becoming open-defecation-free by 2030.

“The objective of this project is to improve access to urban sanitation services in Juba, establish a sustainable urban sanitation system, and strengthen institutional capacity within the sanitation sector,” an AfDB representative stated.

The announcement occurred during the launch of Phase One of the Climate Resilient Sanitation and Institutional Support Project in Juba, implemented by the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation with support from the African Development Bank.