By Sabri Dibaco
Ngali Power Company has announced plans to withdraw from electricity plant operations in Yambio due to financial difficulties, raising concerns about the continuity of power services and the need to expand electricity connections to more households.
In a press statement as seen from the office of the governor, the company’s representatives met Western Equatoria State Caretaker Governor Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa to discuss the planned withdrawal, mounting operational losses and possible arrangements for transferring the management of the power plant to a new operator.
Ruzirampuhe David, Head of the Legal Department at Ngali Holding Ltd, said the company had been operating at a loss because the revenue collected from electricity customers was insufficient to meet fuel expenses and other operational costs.
David attributed the financial difficulties partly to the limited number of residents connected to the electricity grid, which has restricted the company’s revenue base.
He said the company intended to identify a new operator, establish the necessary operating conditions and submit a handover agreement to the government to ensure the facility continued functioning.
The planned handover is intended to prevent the power plant from being left unattended and to support the continuation of electricity services in Yambio.
On his part, the caretaker governor, Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, called for the expansion of electricity connections to residential areas, noting that many households remained outside the existing network despite the availability of the power plant.
The governor said the facility had been donated by the Egyptian government, but the electricity distribution network had not reached many parts of Yambio.
He noted that residents continued to question why electricity connections had not been extended to their neighbourhoods.
Governor Badagbu urged the company and relevant authorities to explore affordable ways of expanding the network, including considering timber poles as an alternative to concrete electricity poles where technically and safely appropriate.
The proposal is aimed at reducing infrastructure costs and making it possible to connect more households to the electricity supply.
The governor’s position highlighted the importance of ensuring that the investment in the power plant benefits a wider section of the population rather than serving only a limited number of customers.
The discussions reflect two interconnected challenges facing electricity services in Yambio: the financial sustainability of power generation and the limited reach of the distribution network.
With relatively few households connected to the grid, the company says its income has not been sufficient to cover the cost of fuel needed to operate the plant. At the same time, expanding electricity connections requires investment in distribution infrastructure, including poles and power lines.
The situation presents a challenge for both the company and the state government, which must consider how to maintain electricity services while making connections more accessible to residents.
A successful transition to a new operator would require clear operating arrangements and cooperation between the government and the company to prevent interruptions in service.
The meeting therefore underscored the need for a practical plan that addresses the company’s financial concerns, safeguards the continued operation of the power plant and supports the expansion of electricity access across Yambio.
The government and the company are expected to work together on the proposed handover arrangements and options for extending the electricity network to more residential areas.