S. Sudan prominent opposition leader demands ‘prompt’ delivery of services to Melut residents

JUBA – The chairman of South Sudan’s National Democratic Movement (NDM) Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin has urged the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit to promptly deliver services to the people of Upper Nile state’s oil-producing Melut county.

The demand by the prominent opposition leader comes two days after the residents of Melut county took to the streets to demand delivery of services including employment opportunities from oil companies operating in their area.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Dr. Lam who is also the secretary-general of the opposition consortium, South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), said the demands of the Melut residents are legitimate and the government in Juba should answer them.

“These are legitimate demands enshrined in our laws and guaranteed by the commitments of the government towards its citizens in the oil-producing areas. Our government is obliged to pay 5% of the revenue accruing from oil production in a state to that state, and specifically, more than half of that must be paid to the area in the state that produces the oil. In this case, Melut County deserves this treatment,” the statement extended to Sudans Post partly reads.

“The demands of the demonstrators are simple: provision of healthcare, clean water and following healthy ways to dispose the contaminated water resulting from oil production. Who can be against such basic rights?” the prominent opposition leader said.

The statement shed light on the environmental damage arising from the oil exploitation in the state saying the oil exploitation has caused immense damage to the people’s lives and their properties.

“We have observed a number of years the environmental deterioration in the oil-producing areas in Melut and other areas. This impacted dangerously on the health of human beings and their animals. All this must be brought to speedy end,” the statement said.

“We commend the citizens of Melut county for keeping their demands peaceful and we encourage them to continue that way,” it added.

He further urged the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba “to heed to these legitimate demands and promptly provide these services which the masses of our people in Melut county deserve.”