South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday night established a committee to review the power purchase agreement for Juba’s 100-megawatt electricity generation and distribution plant, following complaints over high costs in the capital.
The move was welcomed by many residents as a step toward ensuring affordable electricity.
Kiir’s order comes a day after the government announced plans to secure $130 million for a major electricity import project from Kampala, Uganda.
Currently, Juba’s sole electricity provider is the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO), a public-private partnership between Ezra Construction & Development Group (ECDG), which holds a 52% stake, and the state-owned South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC), which owns 48%.
According to its website, JEDCO aims to provide “reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity” to Juba residents. The company launched its first power plant in November 2019.
In an order broadcast on state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir appointed a committee led by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Dams, with the undersecretary of planning from the Ministry of Finance and Planning as deputy.
The committee is tasked with:
-Reviewing the terms of the agreement between the Energy Ministry and EZDG to assess high electricity tariffs and related charges.
-Examining legal and financial aspects to ensure compliance with national laws and regional best practices.
-Reducing tariffs by evaluating the equity structure, shareholder ratios, and dividend policy between the government and EZDG.
-Assessing JEDCO’s financial performance and reporting standards.
The committee may also co-opt additional experts and must submit findings and recommendations within 60 working days.
Other members include:
-The auditor general of the National Audit Chamber
– The undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs
-The head of legal administration in the president’s office
-The general manager of SSEC
-The director general of the Internal Security Bureau of the National Security Service
-The commissioner general of the South Sudan Revenue Authority
-The chairperson of the Engineering Council
In a separate decree, Kiir removed Margret Fozia Emmanuel as Mundri East County commissioner in Western Equatoria State, replacing her with John Henry Galamo.
No reason was given for the change.