The National Legislature on Tuesday criticized Electricity Minister Jemma Nunu Kumba for planning to import Uganda’s Karuma hydroelectric power instead of speeding up 160 million US Dollars construction project of Fula hydroelectric power plant worth 40 mega watts in Eastern Equatoria State at the River Nile expected to complete by early 2016.
Minority Leader Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec blasts Minister Nunu for being jumpy in scheme, challenging her to concentrate on the domestic project since its survey was made as South Sudan is still backward because it lacks electricity to generate development.
Minister Nunu said bringing electricity from Karuma to Juba is a regional requirement to be funded by Nile Basin Initiative and World Bank and does not cancel domestic power plant construction at Fula Rapids.
South Sudan fiscal year 2014/15 budget allocated 37 million Dollars for the construction of Fula Rapids power project.
African Development Bank and the Government of Norway pledged funding of up to 100 million US Dollars.
Expressions of interest for construction work were initially invited for June 2013 consisting of engineering, procurement and construction of the hydro plant with 150 kilometres transmission line and associated substation.