Residents of Wau town in Western Bahr el Ghazal State are celebrating the recent installation of a solar lighting system, which has brought newfound happiness and improved security to their community.
The areas where the solar lights were installed had previously been plagued by criminal activities, with assailants taking advantage of the darkness to attack unsuspecting individuals.
The project has successfully benefited several areas, including Kosti (A), Kosti (B), Hai Jebel, Jou market, Suk-Hajar, Jur River main bridge, Late John Garang roundabout, and Jebel Kheir. Residents in the Kosti area, in particular, have expressed their satisfaction with the increased security measures. They believe that the newly installed power panels will allow them to enjoy their evenings without fear.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, John Ponso, a Kosti resident, shared his experience of multiple theft incidents in their area last year. He expressed relief that the solar lights now illuminate the roads, providing much-needed security for the state.
He commended the mayor for the initiative, saying, “We, the citizens of Kosti, are happy with the mayor. Last rainy season, thieves really disturbed us, and we were not able to sleep well. But with these lights fixed on the roads, there will be security in the state. You can move at night and see people also moving on the road, and this is the service we need.”
Kamis Banda, another resident, urged government officials in South Sudan to prioritize community welfare and embark on similar development projects. He expressed gratitude to the mayor and said, “I thank God and I thank the mayor for the work he is doing. It’s a good work that can help in the security of the town. I hope South Sudanese can really contribute like what the mayor is doing.”
Mayor Paulino Saed Uku of Wau Town emphasized the importance of the solar lights in enhancing security. He revealed plans to install solar lights in all the blocks of the town, further strengthening measures against insecurity. “We are moving in the direction to implement our slogan at the Municipal council to light the town, putting security as the priority. Based on this, we started the project of fixing lights along the roads in Wau town, a project consisting of one thousand two hundred solar lights,” said Mayor Paulino.
He further cited the late John Garang’s belief in starting development from rural areas and mentioned the extension of the lighting project from Kosti resident to Musalas-round, Jebel Kheir, along Bussere Road, and from Wau Airport to the council of ministers.
In recent developments, ten trucks carrying transmission line cables for the electricity station in Wau arrived in the town last month. The Trinity Company, responsible for managing the power strategy in Wau, had previously initiated the installation of new electricity poles in February, replacing the old ones used by an Egyptian-based company. The goal was to reinstate the power supply in the town. The Director General for South Sudan’s Electricity Cooperation, Engineer Ernesto Bol Acho, had expressed optimism that power supply would resume by the end of May after the renovation by Trinity Company was completed in March.
However, due to logistical challenges, including workforce and terms of the treaty between the Trinity Company and the national Ministry of Electricity, the completion of pole and wire connections has been delayed. Acho acknowledged these obstacles and remained committed to overcoming them.
The electricity supply in Wau had been supported by the Egyptian Power Company until May 25, 2011, when the station ran out of fuel. Now, the United Engineering Company is overseeing the implementation of the solar panel project, which includes over one thousand panels and aims to provide sustainable and reliable lighting to the residents of Wau.