Egypt earmarks $2bn for S. Sudan dam project

February 27, 2015 (WAU) – The Egyptian government has pledged $2 billion for the construction of a multi-purpose hydro electricity power project on Jur River in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal state.

This was disclosed by Egypt’s minister for water resources and irrigation, Hossam Moghazy at a feasibility study workshop held in the state capital, Wau.

“We want to improve our cooperation with the south Sudanese government through provisional assistance in the areas of electricity, education, agriculture and clean water supply,” Moghazy said.

“We have completed our feasibility study on Wau multi-purpose dam’s project which requires $1billion and we have asked some of our support donors to urgently finance our project,” he added.

Moghazy said the proposed dam in Western Bahr el Ghazal is an integrated water resources management and development project, which will provide fresh and clean drinking water, generate electricity and irrigation water to the inhabitants of Wau town.

Meanwhile, South Sudan’s electricity and dam minister, Jemma Nunu Kumba said the Western Bahr el Ghazal project was one of the leading ones being overseen by Egypt.

Egypt recognised South Sudan’s independence on 9 July 2011, becoming the second country to do so. Last year, the two countries signed several cooperation agreements.

Egypt continues to develop relations with South Sudan in an effort to protect its water interests within the borders, through which the White Nile flows. This comes at a time when the dispute between Cairo and Addis Ababa over the Nile’s waters is escalating.

Juba has been under pressure from Addis Ababa to sign the Nile Basin Cooperation Framework Agreement that seeks to strip off Egypt’s colonial right over the Nile River.

(ST)