The Evangelical Presbyterian-run water project “Water is Basic” is undertaking a major borehole repair despite presence of insecurity in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State.

Reports from the state directorate of water and sanitation indicated that 90% of the boreholes drilled by some NGOs a long time ago have broken down forcing thousands both in the rural and urban settlements to access water from running rivers and wells.

However, the water project president Bishop Elias Taban told Radio Tamazuj in an interview that there is need to continue providing clean underground water to the population to prevent children and the elderly from suffering and dyeing from waterborne diseases.

He says the current insecurity in South Sudan has prevented the EPC “water is basic” crew from drilling more holes across the country.

“We have drilled over 800 boreholes across the country mainly in the greater Equatoria and Northern Bhar-el-Gazal and in Yei here. We are into repair and so far we have repaired more than ten bores and twenty more others are to be worked on and as soon as we finish with that, we shall advance to do more because with the displacement into the town water has become an issue and we need to do more,” said Bishop Elias.

“Water is Basic” in Yei in South Sudan project is being supported by sister partner “Water is Basic-USA.”

The project started in 2005 and covered areas such as greater Northern Bhar El GhazalAwail, and Warrap state as well as Central Equatoria State’s Yei and Terekeka counties and Western Equatoria state in Mundiri and Ibba Counties.

Elias said the water project will soon be extended to areas where there is acute water shortage across the country provided that there is peace and stability in the region. He decried lack of enough hard currency to import technical hardware equipment from outside for the water project.

Upon repair of one area borehole at Dar-el-Salam, some women residents have expressed thanks and happiness to EPC and called for drilling of more water boreholes in the area to meet the huge demand for clean drinking water.

They told Radio Tamazuj that when there borehole broke down, they resorted to fetching water from iron roofs, running Yei River and other nearby streams and wells.