By Lodu William Odiya
The Power purchase Review Agreement Committee has yesterday indorsed the reduction of power tariffs in the country.
This comes at a time most residents complain of high electricity tariffs in the city
In a statement issued by the presidential press unit, this move followed a comprehensive report from the Power Purchase Review Agreement Committee, which was presented to president Salva Kiir Mayardit.
“The committee commended several key recommendations, including the reduction of tariffs, a review of the structure for power distribution through JEDCO, and an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Dams” the statement partly read.
The statement underscored the committee also recommended a review of the structure for power distribution through JEDCO, and an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Dams.
It also highlighted that the committee was tasked with reviewing the power purchase agreement between the government and Ezra Construction and Development Group.
According to the statement, stated the meeting was chaired by Undersecretary in the Ministry of Energy and Dams, Engineer Madhieu Acuil Mawien.
Statement stressed that the President had directed the committee to review and align the terms and conditions of the power agreement with the South Sudan electricity policy.
The statement stated that the committee was mandated to assess the equity structure, shareholding entitlements, and policies established between the government and Ezra Construction and Development Group, particularly concerning their ownership stake in Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO).
It further emphasized that undersecretary stressed that the committee’s mandate is to consult with the parties to ensure a sustainable and affordable power supply.
Additionally, to safeguard national interests by ensuring adequate power supply to Ten States and Three Administrative Areas.
The Ministry of Energy and Dams play a pivotal role in overseeing electricity generation, transmission, and distribution across the country.
Early this year the deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Paulino Lukudu Obede, criticized Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) for failing to deliver on its promises of reliable and affordable electricity to the citizens of Juba.
Lukudu made the remarks during the launch of the $53 million Assist Power Project, co-funded by the World Bank and the Government of Japan, which aims to connect over 50,000 households in Yei and Juba, as well as 90 healthcare facilities and other public institutions across the country.
The Deputy Governor stated that despite allocating land for free to JEDCO, the company has failed to light major streets within the city and charged power consumers a high amount of money.
“Though the state government cooperated with the national government to give land free of charge to JEDCO, this project has not captured the interest of our people. It started with the high tariffs and now our people cannot afford to buy a single electricity this expensive, there are other things related to the beautification of the city, consumers being in private offices or government institutions are no longer using this electricity dispute the fact they have the meter in their offices because it is extremely expensively,” stated Lokudu.
He stated that as part of the social cooperate responsibility, JEDCO was supposed to light 5,000 security electric and traffic lights within Juba City and beautify major Roundabouts within the city under the beautification component, and since then JEDCO only managed to connect 1,000 street lights out of the 5,000.