Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The University of Juba Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Akec has criticized the ongoing plan to clear the Naam River without conducting an environmental assessment.
On Wednesday, the officials from Unity State received four excavators from Juba as part of the preparation ahead of the planned exercise set to take place this week.
Prof. Akec said that dredging as a tool to fight to flood is not backed by any scientific proof.
“Let the scientific evidence lead the way by conducting an environmental social impact assessment,” Akec said.
He appealed to those behind the exercise to respect the advice of the experts.
“Do not ignore the advice of your scientific community,” he said.
He reiterated that clearing the Naam River is not a decision that can be taken by one state but needs thorough consultation among all communities along the Suud Swamp.
David Gai, the Unity State Minister of Information, said the clearing of the Naam River will help reduce the current flood in Unity State.
He welcomed the clearing, adding that it will relieve the communities from flooding and its impact.
“There is hope for the people of Unity State after receiving these machines for clearing the Naam River,” Gai said.
Hopefully, the challenges with this flood are that our river is too thick and there is no flow of water. That might be the reason why water is just anywhere, so with this arrival of the machines hopefully we’ll have access for the water to run and flow to the river,” he explained.
However, in March, while opening the first parliamentary session, President Salva Kiir directed the Ministry of Finance and Planning to provide funds to conduct the assessment on the Naam River.
“In order for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to deliver on its mandate, I am directing the Ministry of Finance and Planning to avail funds for the conduct of feasibility studies for environmental and social impact assessments on the Naam River,” Kiir said.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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