Yei Communities Donate Land for Solar Power Project Backed by World Bank

(Yei) – Community leaders from Logo and Goja Bomas in Otogogo Payam, Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, have officially allocated land for a solar energy project aimed at reviving the operations of the Yei Electric Corporation (YECO). The decision was made on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, and the plot, located in Hai Dam area, measures 250 by 250 square metres.

Representatives from the two communities and the Yei County Government signed the land agreement in the presence of senior officials from the National Ministry of Energy and Dams. The donated land will be used to construct a solar power plant as part of a broader energy infrastructure development initiative funded by the World Bank.

Executive Chief Charles Lugala Bashir, speaking on behalf of the local communities, said the land was donated to support the reconstruction of YECO and promote development in the region. He described the project as a step forward in improving the daily lives of residents and stimulating progress.

Richard Bariso, Assistant Project Manager under the YECO development initiative, welcomed the community’s decision. He assured residents that the project management team would actively engage with the community through workshops, consultative meetings, environmental awareness campaigns, and cultural blessings before the physical implementation begins.

According to Bariso, the project will commence once final documentation is completed. No official start date has been confirmed, but preparations are already underway.

Yei County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme thanked the community for offering the land voluntarily. He emphasised the importance of the project, noting its potential to create jobs, improve local security, enhance industrial development, and upgrade essential services such as education, healthcare, and business investments.

The land agreement also includes a clause that guarantees the land will be returned to the Logo and Goja communities if the solar plant ceases operation or is no longer in use.

The energy initiative is expected to run for five years and is supported by the World Bank. The scope of work includes the revival of the YECO power plant, installation of power poles and a prepaid power system, expansion of the electrical grid, renovation of YECO offices, and construction of a mini hydro-power station along the Yei River.