CES Chamber of Commerce Demands Government’s Action Against JEDCO Over Exorbitant Electricity Tariffs.

The Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce has called upon the South Sudanese government to take action against Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) and EZRA providers for their consistent tariff hikes.

 Recent reports indicate that JEDCO charges an exorbitant tariff of $0.36 per unit of electricity, which is triple the fees charged in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

The chamber claims that excessive power tariffs have hindered the growth of businesses in the area and caused financial losses to traders who have to bear the brunt of sporadic power outages.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Dams, the current tariff average in South Sudan is 40 cents Kilowatts per hour. This implies that JEDCO is charging an unreasonably high cost for electricity which doesn not align with the country’s standards.

South Sudan relies mostly on the 100 MW thermal power plant constructed by EZRA Company LTD. The plant was commissioned in 2019 by President Salva Kiir and is situated along the Nile River. Even though Ezra Company built the plant to improve electricity supply, Juba Electricity Distribution Company struggles to provide reliable and efficient power services.

Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce is now demanding that the government steps in and cancels the contract with JEDCO and EZRA to find another company that can provide quality energy services to the people.