Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Authorities in Unity State revealed they are planning to relocate communities residing around oil fields before the rainy season starts. The statement, which is attributed to the state Information Minister, revealed that the government has found areas in the North where oil-affected communities will be relocated to.
Floods in Unity State have submerged oilfields several times, leaking dangerous chemicals to the surrounding waters and raising fears of health risks and environmental disasters.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, David Gai, the state Information Minister says the government will make sure that the communities of Unity State will live in a safe environment.
“The government is planning for the next rainy season to make sure that the dykes around the state are permanently built, the government is also making sure that the communities of Unity State will live in a safe environment” Minister Gai confirmed to media.
“The government is planning for the next rainy season to make sure that the dykes around the state are permanently built, the government is also making sure that the communities of Unity State will live in a safe environment” Minister Gai confirmed to media.
He says that they fear that people around the oil field will be affected if water is mixed with oil again. He reiterated that the civil population in Unity State will be relocated to places where water is not contaminated.
“We have also identified some places like Ruriak+ in the North. These communities will be relocated there to avoid oil contamination.”, Gai stressed.
In November last year, a local NGO said over 300 cattle and 274 goats died after drinking water contaminated with oil. Drinking of contaminated water by locals also leads to subsequent birth of deformed children in Unity.
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