Juba, South Sudan
July 17, 2022 — Last Saturday, South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, joined the emotional debate and took one side, the side of anti-dredging, for the sake of the agreement – ordering suspension of the all dredging activities until further notice.
According to president Kiir, no dredging-related activities will be carried out until an environmental impact assessment is carried out by both local and international experts; however, Kiir never respond to concerns of those who want dredging done to clears river and to mitigate floods that have displaced millions of people and killed thousands of cattles.
The dredging project, which approved by the cabinet last year, is targeting the Naam river but the president office denied knowledge of such decision.
On Friday, July 8th, environmental experts and academicians at the University of Juba called on the government to first carry out an environmental and social impact assessment before dredging the Nile tributaries.
The forum that was organized by the University of Juba brought together environmental experts and academicians, who presented research papers on the advantages and advantages of dredging.
In his address to the nation on the 11th Anniversary of Independence, Kiir stated that in the last few weeks, citizens were engaged in an emotional debate over the issue of dredging the Bahr el Ghazal basin and the Naam River.
According to the president, those supporting it see dredging as a permanent solution to persistent floods in low-lying areas, while others think it would help open waterways for river transport and ease transportation.
However, those against dredging believe that dredging without proper studies is a path to an ecological disaster that will change South Sudan’s biodiversity forever.
This group, according to the president, fears the loss of marshlands which are the lifeline of different animal species and it means livelihood for our fishermen.
He said they also oppose dredging on the basis of adverse environmental concerns and the anticipated loss of economic livelihood.
According to President, the country will overcome this challenge through public consultation and the conduct of credible scientific studies on the impact of dredging.
“Having followed this debate keenly, I realized that this outcry from public consultation, from both sides, came because we have not conducted an informed public consultation that addresses the concern and fears of those groups,” President Kiir said during his address to the nation on Saturday.
“These fears and concerns, whether real or perceived can only be overcome through public consultation and the conduct of credible scientific studies on the impact of dredging on the surrounding community SUDD ecosystem”
“It’s only after we have done this will our people on both sides of this debate have the confidence to support this project.”he added.
President also directed the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to conduct feasibility studies on the issue.
“To allow our citizens to participate in the construction process without emotions, I am today freezing any plan dredging activities in the SUDD region until credible professional, evidence-based studies are carried out on the impact of dredging both on the surrounding community and their ecosystem,” President Kiir announced during his address to the nation on the 11th Anniversary of Independence.
“I am directing the ministry of environment and forestry to initiate the process of identifying and eventually hiring a credible expert who will carry out the SUDD feasibility study.” he emphasized.
