South Sudan’s Ministry of Energy and Dams says it’s vey concerned with the electricity supply problems plaguing the capital city, Juba promising to resolve disagreement with Ezra Construction and Development Group and to try and restore electricity.
“The Ministry of Energy and Dams is now appealing for patience as it urgently engages with all stakeholders in an effort to find a long-term solution.” Reads part of the statement issued on Friday by the Ministry.
“The Ministry regrets how the interruption of power is affecting residents and businesses, and acknowledges failures in respect of the contractual obligations towards Ezra Construction and Development Group (ECDG), due to various factors.” The statement continued.
This comes after Ezra Construction and Development Group halted power supply in Juba, citing failure by South Sudan’s government to honour contractual obligation regarding the electricity.
The Ezra Group from Eritrea says it invested as much as $289 million in a power plant to provide 100 megawatts for Juba.
The Ezra Construction and Development Group was running the power plant on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.
Citing its power purchase agreement signed with the government, the company said in January that the Ministry of Energy “is contractually obliged to allocate foreign currency” to Juba Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (JEDCO), a distribution company which then pays the Ezra Group in hard currency for supplying bulk energy.
The power black-out has angered many Juba residents and is negatively affecting businesses in the capital Juba.
Ali Adam who runs a supermarket just about 800 meters from Juba International Airport has been relying on electricity supplied by Ezra group for his supermarket
But today there is a total blackout; Ali is trying to repair his generator that for almost two years has not been used
ALI ADAM, Supermarket owner said “I am making losses, I have things in the fridge that are going bad, I am throwing them away. At night, everywhere is dark, I am forced to close early and go home.”
