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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

New Bentiu water company creates jobs for locals

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

July 14, 2013 (BENTIU) – A new water bottling company opened in South Sudan’s Unity state will employ 20 local staff, while more are to be absorbed as production increases next year, its Chinese proprietors said.

Chinese worker at the Bentiu Water factory. 14 July 2013 (ST)
Chinese worker at the Bentiu Water factory. 14 July 2013 (ST)
Bentiu Water, which officially opened Friday, is the first company to produce bottled water in Unity state. Traders and merchants in the state previously imported bottled water from South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

The factory has been earmarked to process three tones of water per hour, producing 18,000 bottles per a day from underground water resources.

With fuel costs doubling in recent years, the price of transporting goods, including bottled water, from Juba has increased dramatically. Prices have also been affected by the 2012 oil transit fee dispute between Juba and Khartoum, which deprived the young nation of its main source of hard currency.

Tensions between the two Sudan’s have also led to the closure of the border for most of South Sudan’s two years of independence.

Currently, the wholesale water price is SSP 1.5, while the price of each water bottle is SSP 4. With time, the consumer price will reduce to SSP 2 as the company continues production.

Owen Yu Chuanwen, the manager of the Bentiu Water factory. 14 July 2013 (ST)
Owen Yu Chuanwen, the manager of the Bentiu Water factory. 14 July 2013 (ST)
Owen Yu Chuanwen, the manager of the factory told Sudan Tribune Sunday that they currently face the challenge of training workers, which has slowed down production.

He however expressed optimism that the current production will increase with time as training of local staff continue and more workers employed next year.

“The capacity of my machine is three tones per hour, but the packing machine is now 18,000 roughly per day. Now, my employees are not enough and some of them are still under training so [the only] option maybe in three months or four months when we start fully operation, then [production] can go [up] to 20,000 or 25,000 per day”, he said.

Chuanwen further revealed that the factory will also supply water to other neighbouring states, but warned that the process could by hampered by South Sudan’s poor transport network.

“It will supply counties even states near Unity state within 200 miles ranges, and can satisfy the market. Actually next year, I’m thinking of bringing another line, a purifying line to make the water along with the sodas and ices”, he assured.

James Row Majok, an employee at the factory told Sudan Tribune he was happy to be employed in his home state, adding that it was a good for Unity state communities.

The employee, who currently earns SSP 400 (about $100) a month, said he hopes his salary will in future be raised to meet the increasing living costs.

Unity state’s deputy governor, Michael Chiengjiek Geay, who opened the factory, said the new business was positive for the development of the state as well as help supply clean water to the population.

“Before one bottle of water [would] cost 4 SSP, but now let the price drop to 2 SSP”, Geay urged.

“I’m congratulating the Chinese company for building up [the factory] and those who have contributed in the state to bring the company down here,” he said.

Unity state mainly imports goods from East Africa through via Juba, but many of the roads connecting the state with the rest of the country will be impassable during the rainy season.

(ST)

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