Locals in Unity state blame oil companies for not doing enough to protect environment

November 7, 2013 (BENTIU) –Locals in Unity State who reside near oil fields have blamed an oil company for not doing enough to protect their environment against pollution.

The residents say sources of their drinking water have been polluted by oil yet the company does not supply them with sufficient safe drinking water forcing locals to drink contaminated water from nearby swamps.

Mary David Riek is one such resident. Riek told Sudan Tribune that the oil company brings in drinking water once a week which she says is not enough.

“They bring water once a week. But most of us suffer a lack of water. As a result of this, we walk to the ponds to get water for our consumption. It is not safe for our health. We have a big water problem,’’ she said.

Riek said residents also blame the oil company for failing to keep the environment clean because of the smelly oil residue and the chemicals which find their way in the environment including water sources.

“As we stay here we have experienced a lot of smell of oil. These companies which are based here are not serious about us. If they were serious we would not be staying in this dirty environment,’’ said Riek.

Simon Lieth, another resident residing near an oil production area says the health of locals is being affected by the polluted environment and urged the oil company to relocate them far away from the production area.

“There are a lot of health problem here because chemicals are present around us which has affected some people in the area. If the government and oil company could relocate us in a better area our suffering would have been reduced and this is what we are asking for most,’’ said Lieth.

Dr Simon John Deng, a medical doctor in Bentiu hospital were most of the people living around the oil fields get medical treatment said he could not confirm that the ailments reported by patients are related to oil pollution as it would need research and more equipments to find out.

“We cannot justify that the cases are related to oil leaks. We cannot say its related to oil because it would need advanced investigation,’’ Deng said.

Camus Khor Dau, the environmentalist supervisor for the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) based in Unity oil fields says they have plans to improve on the environment in the area.

“As a company we are struggling and doing our best to gradually improve on the issue of pollution. But you know the issue of pollution cannot be avoided. The reality is it can be reduced because every where there is pollution but we are doing our best to reduce it,’’ said Dau.

Dau said some of the facilities such as the foundation of lagoon at the production site are old as they were built when South Sudan was still part of Sudan.

“But here what we are trying really to do our best because as you know all these facilities they were established and designed since the time of one Sudan.’’

(ST)