With Egyptian support: inauguration of an underground water station at the University of Juba to serve citizens of the Republic of South Sudan
Cairo – Hanaa El-Sayed: In line with the directives of the Egyptian political leadership to enhance cooperation with Nile Basin countries and support sustainable development efforts and improve citizens’ living standards, Dr. Hany Swilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, received a report from Dr. Aref Gharib, Head of the Nile Water Affairs Sector, regarding the opening of the “Sumba” groundwater station at the University of Juba by the Republic of South Sudan, which was implemented through an Egyptian grant.
The station was inaugurated by James Mauig McQuag, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of South Sudan, in the presence of Hazem Mamdouh, the Egyptian Ambassador to South Sudan, and M. Shaaban Abu Al-Fateh, Head of the Egyptian Irrigation Mission in South Sudan, representing the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, along with a number of officials from both the Egyptian and South Sudanese sides.
In this context, Dr. Hany Swilem, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, stated that the opening of the “Sumba” station reflects the deep fraternal and historical relations linking the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of South Sudan, and underscores the Egyptian state’s commitment to providing various forms of technical and developmental support to our brothers in South Sudan, thereby contributing to achieving sustainable development and improving the level of services provided to citizens.
Dr. Swilem added that the station represents an important addition to the infrastructure of the drinking water sector in South Sudan, as it contributes to providing safe and clean drinking water for students and staff of the University of Juba, as well as residents of surrounding areas, which positively impacts the improvement of health and environmental conditions and supports the educational process.
He further noted that Egyptian-South Sudanese cooperation in the field of water resources has spanned many years and continues to evolve through the implementation of numerous joint projects in areas such as drinking water, water resources management, waterway rehabilitation, the establishment of an early warning and forecasting center, training, and capacity building, reflecting Egypt’s commitment to supporting development in Nile Basin countries based on the principle of achieving mutual benefit.
He emphasized that this project is part of an integrated system of bilateral cooperation projects implemented by the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in South Sudan. These include the construction of solar-powered groundwater drinking water stations, with 28 stations completed to serve South Sudanese citizens, each serving more than 3,000 families; desilting works in the Bahr el Ghazal waterway in Bentiu city; the construction of dams for rainwater harvesting to be utilized during drought periods; the establishment of water level and flow measurement stations to collect data necessary for studies related to development projects; and the creation of a forecasting center at the headquarters of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in the Republic of South Sudan, alongside training, capacity building, and the exchange of technical expertise, all of which contribute to supporting development efforts and improving the level of basic services in South Sudan.
He clarified that the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation ensures that the projects it implements are accompanied by programs for training and qualifying local technical cadres in operation and maintenance, thereby guaranteeing the sustainability of these projects and their continued provision of high-efficiency services, maximizing their developmental returns.
Dr. Swilem concluded his statements by affirming that Egypt will continue to provide technical support and transfer expertise to our brothers in South Sudan, and enhance joint cooperation in various water resources fields, thereby serving the interests of both countries, supporting sustainable development efforts, and contributing to improving the quality of life for citizens.
