Water tankers filling at the newly-built water-point in Juba. (Photo: Eye Radio).

Water tank drivers on Wednesday morning went on strike and deserted the newly-installed water points in Juba after the City Council allegedly imposed numerous fees on them.

The six water-points installed by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency were opened last month.

The facilities are situated in Mauna, Gudele, Munuki, Seven Days, and Jebel residential areas and the major water-point is the Nile riverside.

According to James Majok Mayor, the Inspector of the Urban Water Cooperation, the City Council was demanding the water suppliers pay fees for health, jackets, and boots, among others.

He told Eye Radio that the total amount required of each water tank provider could amount to a million South Sudanese pounds.

Majok said due to threats from the city council, the water tankers deserted the water refilling stations.

“The city council came up to Mauna where there is filling water points and started arresting those guys and they stopped the work that they were supposed to do, by filling up the water tankers to the community.”

“Now the filling water points are deserted by these Habash, they left the place because of there is fear. There are packages of these stickers, jackets, shoes to drive and all these things, the amount is almost five hundred and something.”

Inspector Majok revealed that the Urban Water Cooperation is charging each water tanker 3000 SSP per trip.

However, he blamed the city council for not consulting with the Urban Water Cooperation before taking the decision.

“The way forward is that the city council has to cooperate with the administration of the urban water such that they can serve these people a right way that should be the way”.