2000 KW power station opens in Wau

By Manyang Mayom

February 17, 2009 (Wau) – A new power station and other development projects were inaugurated Tuesday in Wau town of Western Bahr El-Ghazal in the presence of the First Vice President and President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Kiir arrived in Wau under very restricted security to officially open the “Wau Diesel Power station extension 2 x 1000KW” and an office for traffic police. He also laid foundation stones for two complex schools on the eastern Bank of the Jur River, which are undergoing construction by the Egyptian government.

The power plant “is a grant from the Arab Republic of Egypt to the people of Southern Sudan,” said the Egyptian Minister of Electricity, Hassan Ahmed Younis, who attended the rally on Tuesday at the premises where erected.

Additional electricity projects will soon be inaugurated in Jonglei State (Bor), Western Eastern Equatoria state (Yambio) and Lakes state (Rumbek).

Speaking Tuesday, Kiir affirmed that the Southern Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) will provide installation of electricity but does not intend to provide power free of charge. Instead, one will have the right to buy cards and use them according to one’s interest and when it is finished, one will have to return and buy again.

Kiir affirmed that cooperation between the South Sudan government and Egyptian government shall continue to flourish not only in the field of electricity services but also will be extended to the field of education.

According to Younis, the Egyptian minister who headed the Egyptian delegation from Khartoum to Wau, expressed Egypt’s willingness to support the people of South Sudan by providing technical support in all aspects and training of human resources that will carry out development projects in the South Sudan.

“A number of people of South Sudan have been trained on maintenance of power stations,” said Younis.

President Kiir was received by Governor of Western Bhar El-Ghazal Mark Nyipouch Obang, and state ministers, honorable members and a vast gathering of Wau inhabitants.

(ST)