Last week, Kiir authorized the Power Purchase Committee to implement sweeping reforms at the Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) aimed at easing the burden on consumers. But Ezra, the majority shareholder in JEDCO, fired back with a letter instructing the firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Wondimu Tenkir, not to enforce the presidential order.
“As the majority shareholder of Juba Electricity Distribution Company Ltd, you are hereby instructed to hold the implementation of the directives issued by the Ministry of Energy & Dams referencing the said Republican Order,” reads the October 1st letter.
Ezra said it has written to the Ministry of Energy and Dams seeking clarity on the basis and modalities of the order before taking action.
“We have requested mutual discussions with our partners, the Ministry of Energy & Dams and the South Sudan Electricity Corporation, because the Republican Order lacks clarity. We need to safeguard our investment in the energy sector while ensuring that the government’s fiscal concerns are addressed in a technically sound manner,” the company noted.
Until these issues are resolved, Ezra has directed JEDCO to continue operating under the existing contractual framework. In his order, broadcast on state-run SSBC, Kiir slashed domestic tariffs and scrapped service charges for households.
“For less than 100 kWh, the tariff is reduced from $0.303 to $0.273. For more than 100 kWh, the tariff is reduced from $0.316 to $0.285. The monthly service charge of $3.01 on single-phase connections is hereby cancelled,” the order declared.
Connection fees were also cut drastically, with direct single-phase connections dropping from $320.26 to $128.10, while low-voltage extensions fell from $998.66 to $399. Commercial tariffs were lowered from $0.348 to $0.32 per kWh, and government institutions will now pay $0.316 instead of $0.336 per kWh.
Industrial users also benefit, with tariffs reduced from $0.348 to $0.32, while service charges on three-phase connections dropped from $5.01 to $2.00. High-current meter charges were slashed from $12.53 to $5.00, and direct three-phase connections reduced from $631.33 to $252.50. Low-voltage extension on three-phase connections also fell from $1,309.73 to $523.90.
Kiir further restructured JEDCO, giving the government a controlling 60% stake through the South Sudan Electricity Corporation, while Ezra retains 40%.
Ezra Construction & Development Group, a foreign company, remains at the center of controversy as it digs in against the presidential order.
