Opinion: Dam construction key to economic growth and solving flood problems

South Sudan has been facing persistently inadequate power supply due to the country’s demand which outweighs the current electricity grids.

Economies depend hugely on electricity to grow. And, whenever there is no enough supply, there are chances that the sector will inevitably suffer.

For example, South Sudan depends on the informal sector and the youth to grow the economy. Although, the sector is yet to grow to its full potential, there are indications that we are getting there.

The inadequate power supply that comes with the disruption, which mostly affects the youth; whether employed or still in school.

The ramifications are that most of these young people are not able to work and put food on their table without a consistent flow of electricity, which is a major infrastructural requirement.

Also, those who go to schools and are engaged in online studies are not able to honor their lectures and the coursework obligations because they are not connected to a proper power supply and this even hurts their progress more.

In addition to this, the power is still sold at exorbitant retail prices. Operating businesses have not been prosperous due to high electric taxation imposed by the authorities concerned.  This only means a rise in the cost of operations for the businesses.

 Remedies

So, what are the probable solutions, what are the options we have on the table? We need to think of how we can double or even triple our electricity supply because it holds a key to ensuring that we grow our economy from the bottom upwards.

How can this happen? There have been attempts to build dams such as the Fulla Dam, which remains a white elephant scheme though with a potential of over 80megawatts. This would solve our problems.

Furthermore, a dam has numerous benefits to both local and national levels in terms of interstice bridging for generating incomes thus supporting local industry, especially in the agricultural sector.

It can also minimize the issue of recent floods, where water displaced and affected the lives and caused rural to urban migration forcing people to seek refuge in neighboring countries.

Most importantly, the 10 states could get the boost of having an uninterrupted power supply.

Building a dam may actually grant us a peaceful, beautiful, and prosperous country.

The writer is a theology student at Bishop Gwynne College in Juba.

All opinions, comments, and guest analyses are solely those of the authors and do not represent the views of the City Review management.