Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan’s Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba decries dredging machines imported from Egypt for re-opening of water ways in protest of “Jonglei Canal” project.
On 3rd of June the Governor of Unity State received four barges in Unity State capital Bentiu to clean up parts of river Nile that were clogged within the last two years of flooding.
In March, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation announced that dredging machines are being mobilized from Egypt in order to clear up cataracts blocking the movement of Water in Naam River of Unity State and Barh El Ghazal Basin but decision is publicly criticized by citizens who views it as Egyptian move to satisfy their dire water needs from River Nile.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, Vice Chancellor of University of Juba Prof. John Akech says it is security threat from Egypt to dredge South Sudan rivers.
“..Dredging of BG Basin by Egypt to begin soon while national security institutions are less concerned. These machines just imported by Egypt are happily being received by Unity State Governor”, Prof. John Akech noted with concern.
” Is this not declaration of war on our country by Egypt and allied parties”, Vice Chancellor Akech added in a statement obtained by Nyamilepedia.
In response to public reactions about the imported equipment, the Press-Secretary at Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Mr. Gattiek Wichar said dredging rivers is a normal exercise which has been undertaken by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation since 2006, saying that it has no negative impact on ecosystem and shouldn’t be politicized.
“.. I would like to make it clear to the public who views this project with prejudices that the machines brought to dredge rivers in South Sudan are not harmful but intended to help mitigate flooding that has submerged many parts of the country especially greater Upper Nile Region”,Press Secretary Wichar said.
According to Wichar, the project is negatively perceived by many as Egyptian campaign to dry up the Sudd wetland in order to satisfy their dire water needs.
“.. The public misconception about the project whose aim is to reduce flooding is that dredging will allow water to Egypt but as Ministry we are executing our national response to this devastating calamity”, he added.
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