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By Emmanuel Garjiek
Efforts to restore electricity in Yei Town, Yei River County, have been hampered by a lack of funding from the Central Equatoria State Government, according to the chairperson of the Yei Electricity Corporation (YECO) board.
Richard Lugala Godo told reporters on Wednesday that while operational structures at the main power station are in place and technical assessments of the generator and street poles have been completed, rehabilitation work has stalled due to the absence of funds needed for transporting and repairing old poles.
“On our side, everything is ready, and the money which was supposed to come down here has not yet been released, and it is making our work very difficult. Certain things need to be transported, but they all require money,” Lugala explained. “We are ready on the ground; the only thing holding us back is the money, which is supposed to be given by the state government. The public has to hold on as we are working on it.”
He revealed that more than 30 poles remain stranded along the Yei–Lasu Road due to logistical challenges. Lugala said YECO management is working with the county commissioner and state authorities to secure the pending funds. “The poles that we requested from the National Forestry Reserve are ready, but the only challenge to bring them is money. Those poles are meant to replace those that got spoiled,” he stated. “Yesterday, I was with the commissioner, and I told him to press the state authority so that some of the things that are not within our reach are brought to ground so that people see the practical process of the project.”
In February, Governor Emmanuel Adil ordered the immediate restoration of the Yei Power Plant and formed a committee to oversee the process. YECO has remained non-functional since the 2016 conflict, leaving Yei Town without a public electricity supply for years.
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