Khartoum’s head of water authority resigns amid growing anger

July 24, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The governor of Khartoum state Abdel-Rahman Al-Khidir on Monday announced that the head of the state’s water authority has resigned following fierce criticism on his performance.

Last week demonstrations erupted in different parts of the Sudanese capital by people protesting water outages and persistent dirt contained in it.

Al-Khidir said that Khalid Hassan Ibrahim requested non-renewal of his contract and as such he issued a decree relieving him of his duties.

He defended his government’s performance noting that 400 million Sudanese pounds were spent on water utilities. The governor said that committees are conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the water infrastructure after which those responsible will be held accountable.

Shortages of water spawned similar protests last May. The water-supply authorities then accused “organized political elements” of blocking water supply pipes, according to the director of Khartoum Water Authority.

The authorities recently announced plans to introduce prepaid water meters, drawing scorn from the general public

(ST)