Works ministry, lawmakers say unaware of river transport resumption

June 25, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudanese lawmakers and officials from the Transport ministry say they are unaware of the resumption of the river transport between the world’s youngest nation and neigbouring Sudan.

Last month, South Sudan’s presidential advisor on security affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime and Sudan’s acting Governor of White Nile State, Omar Al-Khalifa Abdullah announced the resumption of the river transport means.

Both leaders said orders came from the top leadership of the two countries.

South Sudan’s acting Minister of Transport, Simon Mijok Mijak on Thursday said he was not aware of a deal to revive river transport system with Sudan.

The official was appearing before members of the specialized committee on transport in the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

“On our part as Ministry of Transport, we have no information brought to us. We just heard what was reported in the media that the river transport is re-opened. We in the Ministry of Transport were not aware of it,” said Mijak.

Members of the parliamentary committee also wondered how transport between the two nations could resume without the ministry’s knowledge.

“We [legislators] were shocked because we are part of the government and we don’t know what is going on that why we summoned the minister to know from him and explain and answer all the questions,” said Glory Philemon, who heads parliament’s specialized committee on transport.

A national assembly is constitutionally mandated to summon political post holders or anyone it feels could provide information beneficial to citizens.

South Sudan’s advisor on security affairs announced early this month the resumption of water transport between the two countries after 11 years.

The brief seizure by South Sudan forces of Heglig, an oil processing hub controlled by Sudan, led to a strain in relations between the two nations.

(ST)