Juba Has Only Two Firefighting Vehicles, Interior Minister Says

By Jenifer James

The Caretaker Minister of Interior, Rizik Zachariah Hassan, has raised alarm over severe equipment shortages facing the Civil Defence Service, revealing that the entire capital, Juba, currently has only two firefighting vehicles.

Speaking on Thursday during a visit to the South Sudan Civil Defence Service headquarters, Hassan described the shortage as a major challenge to the city’s ability to respond effectively to fires and other emergencies.

“The whole of Juba has two firefighting cars. This is a big challenge for us,” Hassan said.

He added that the ministry would focus on strengthening the Civil Defence Service ahead of the planned elections, noting that the service is responsible for protecting the lives and property of civilians and government institutions.

“We are trying to focus because of the election. Civil Defence is supposed to protect the lives and properties of civilians and the government too. We will try our best for you to implement all this,” he said.

Caretaker Deputy Minister of Interior, David Marial Gumke, also cited a shortage of vehicles for transporting senior officers and challenges related to uniforms.

Gumke said the service needs to standardize uniforms, noting that different types are currently being used.

“If you look around, you can see different types of uniforms, so there is a need for the uniforms to be harmonized,” Gumke said.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Said Chawul, stressed the importance of unity between the police and civil defence services.

Gen. Chawul said Civil Defence is part of the police and should work closely with other police units because both institutions are responsible for protecting people and property.

“Police prevent crime and protect the lives of the people and property, the same as Civil Defence,” he said.

The Commissioner General of the South Sudan Civil Defence Service, General Roden Loro, said the minister’s visit was aimed at assessing challenges facing the service since Hassan took charge of the Ministry of Interior.

Loro added that the Ministry of Interior, which includes the Civil Defence Service, bears responsibility for the upcoming elections.

“The responsibility of the election is for the Ministry of Interior, of which we are part,” Loro said.