Sudanese consumers to soon face hikes in water tariffs

July 25, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The state government of Khartoum announced its intention to increase water tariffs, only 24 hours after it said that a hike in electricity prices is inevitable.

Over the last few weeks, demonstrations erupted in several neighborhoods of the capital over water outages which prompted the departure of the water company director Mahjoub al-Halawi.

On Saturday, the minister of Infrastructure at the state government of Khartoum Ahmed Qasim warned that it is difficult to continue water service without support, pointing out that the increase in

“If the government was to provide free water service to all citizens, it would need to come up with 51 billion pounds monthly for the water body which barely collects 17 billion pounds from water bills” he said.

Qasim said the tariff increase would need to be 100% at least but will not be implemented until service is restored satisfactorily to all consumers.

The official stressed that the real cost of water service is twice the price at which it is sold to citizens.

The water company has previously expressed its desire to increase the tariff to meet the shortfall in resources and fulfill its obligations towards subscribers due to high operating costs.

The tariff currently in force is at 16 pounds for the third tier, 25 pounds for the second tier and 45 pounds for the first tier.

A report issued by the state of Khartoum previously outlined proposals to increase the tariff by 20 pounds for the third tier consumers, 60 pounds for the first tier and 35 pounds for the second degree.

A second proposal sought to increase the by 190 pounds for the first tier consumers, 120 pounds for the second tier and 70 pounds for the third tier.

The third proposal wanted 288 pounds increase for the first tier, 144 for second pier and 84 pounds for the third pier.

The Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Moataz Moussa, announced Friday the inevitability of raising the electricity tariff while taking into account the low-income consumers. He said this is the only way to ensure a more stable electrical supply.

It is noteworthy that a similar decision to raise the electricity tariff was one of the reasons behind the deadly protests that swept the country in September 2013 which claimed hundreds of lives.

Last few weeks saw protests by residents over continued electricity cuts which led subsequently to water cuts.

(ST)