Residents of Yei town have urged the management of Yei Electric Cooperative (YECO) power plant and the state ministry of physical infrastructure to develop strategic plans for sustainable electricity supply in the area.
A community power plant initiated and supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2012, YECO has been facing several operational challenges due to lack of funding.
The company’s management attributed its challenges to unpaid bills by government institutions and consumers due to the outbreak of crisis in 2016. The power company has now resumed its operations after three years.
Samuel Modi, a resident of Yei town, said on Thursday that the resumption of the power plant will improve security and business services in the area. He urged the state government to ensure the power plant is stable and sustainable.
“I am happy that YECO is now operational and I want the management of YECO and the government to work together and ensure that the facility is operational day and night,” Modi said.
Rose Keji, a resident of Erap area, welcomed the resumption of the power plant, saying the provision of electricity will attract more returnees and the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home.
“There are now many returnees returning to Yei town, electricity is a dividend of peace because we have stayed in darkness for a long period of time and we want the government and the YECO team to continue,” she said.