South Sudan announces environmental audit for oilfields

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) - South Sudan announced a tender on Friday for a comprehensive environmental audit of all the country’s producing oilfields, according to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum.

"South Sudan now faces the challenge of balancing developmental needs with the spirit of environmental protection enshrined in the Petroleum Act," the statement said on the move aiming to control pollution affecting communities living in oil-producing areas.

Stressing that the sector had in the past caused losses of grazing land, as well as deforestation, soil and water contamination and health issues in and around oil-producing areas, it said: "The lack of environmental standards and guidelines to safeguard the exploration and exploitation in the extractive industry has led to pollution in the oilfields and in the surrounding areas."

Petroleum Minister Awow Daniel Chuang said the environmental audit would be conducted ahead of any new exploration and drilling in the country.

"Understanding the pollution damage will allow the country to put systems in place to prevent further damage as the country looks to ramp up production," Chuang said.

In August 2019, President Salva Kiir warned that his government would be taking a stronger stance against pollution in oil-producing areas.

He warned: "I will not tolerate irresponsible activities in the oil sector."

Some citizens in oil-producing areas are worried about pollution causing infant deformities, miscarriage and death during delivery as well as livestock losses.

The 2012 Petroleum Act imposed high health and safety standards on oil production activities.

Oil is the dominant source of revenue for the youngest East African nation, which has boosted output to stand at about 180,000 barrels per day, as it struggles to rebuild an economy shattered by five years of civil war.

The tender for conducting the full environmental audit will kick on Jan. 13 to Jan. 20.