Mamer Abraham
Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Jacob Akech Dengdit, and the state minister for human resources and fisheries, Atong Manyang, clashed over the relocation of fishing boats.
The clash came about after Dengdit ordered the relocation of fishing boats from Bor Main Port to Leudiet, Total, Goi and other areas farther away.
According to the order, fish offloading, and packaging at the port located next to the government offices and Park Palace Hotel had environmental impacts.
“The government of Jonglei State conducted a health and environmental assessment at Bor main port to ascertain the health and environmental hazards posed by fish offloading, packaging, and the government and Park Palace Hotel,” read the order seen by The City Review.
“It was noted that the process was posing health risks to workers in the government institutions and those living around.”
The acting governor argued that the relocation of boats would give room for passenger and commercial boats to reduce health and environmental risks, save customers of the Park Palace Hotel from bad smells, prevent water contamination and prevent waterborne diseases, and improve sanitation around the state ministry of finance.
Revoke order
In a response dated August 3, the state minister for animal resources and fisheries, Atong Kuol Manyang urged the acting governor to revoke the order stating that it should not be rushed as far as health is concerned.
“The ministry is not against relocation but is of the opinion that this decision seems rushed, exclusive and needs more time to execute its plans,” Atong said in a statement.
The minister stated that the order that states the relocation of boats within a week, showed a lack of consultation from the responsible ministries, the Jonglei Fisheries’ Union, Bor County and stakeholders.
She argued that relocation must be done after exhaustive consultations and agreements with the Bor County government and the communities involved.
She argued that her ministry had already acquired a land through the acting mayor for building a dry fish storage facility.
“The leadership is aware of some plans of this ministry, which include whether to move the docking site or not, as it has already acquired a piece of land; engaged partners to build dry fish storage; and discussed with the acting mayor a space for a fish market but unfortunately chose to exclude the ministry in its decision,” Atong added.
Source: The City Review South Sudan
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