Dear Vice President for the Economic Cluster, Dr. Benjamin Bel Mel, I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to bring an important matter to your attention and respectfully request your action.
First, I express my deep appreciation for your dedicated service and leadership in guiding our nation toward progress and prosperity. Your commitment to the welfare of our citizens is truly commendable.
The purpose of this letter is to highlight the plight of Juba residents regarding the high prices of water. The residents are suffering at the hands of the Central Equatoria State Government.
Mr. Vice-President, the truth must be told. I have consulted with the water tank drivers and suppliers and listened to their side of the story. They have a case, and I have shared their position with my neighbors and other Juba residents. The main issue is the state government’s high taxes.
Mr. Vice-President, two years ago, I wrote opinion articles about the high prices of drinking water and garbage collection on the Juba roadsides. The articles were published in a daily newspaper. The authorities listened and summoned the Minister for Water, Resources, and Irrigation; the Mayor of Juba City; and the chairperson of the water suppliers. They discussed and considered the way forward to help the residents of Juba by fixing the price at SSP5,000 per 250L drum.
That initiative was good, and the Juba residents appreciated the brilliant decision. Now, however, things have changed drastically for the worse. The majority of Juba residents are poor and can hardly afford SSP10,000 per 250L of water. They are confused as to who—between the national and the state governments—should come to their aid.
I believe that though the prices of other commodities are high, they cannot be compared to the high cost of water. Water should be a gift to all living things.
Juba City does not belong to a single state. Anyone from the 10 states has the right to live in Juba and even become its mayor. There should equally be appropriate development, and the city should be clean all the time.
Mr. Vice-President, I understand the complex challenges facing our nation, but I believe that together we can find viable solutions. I humbly request your support and intervention to improve the welfare of all citizens.
Your leadership and decisive action can make a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals.
I have faith in your dedication and commitment to serving our nation. I am confident that under your guidance, we can overcome our challenges and move forward.
Peter Wek Ayom is a concerned South Sudanese resident of Juba (wekpeterayom@gmail.com)
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.