S. Sudan denies reports of oil leak in Unity state

November 19, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s minister for petroleum and mining has dismissed reports of an oil leak in severely damaged fields in Unity state.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Norwegian ambassador to South Sudan Tone Tinnes on Wednesday, Stephen Dhieu Dau said work has resumed at the oil fields.

“We have not got any report about the leakage or incident that I read today (Wednesday) in the newspaper,” Dau said when asked to comment media reports that an oil leakage was causing health problems in local communities.

“But we will send in the technicians to go and investigate, because we are really concerned with the safety of our people in and around the oil fields,” he added.

Dau said maintenance works, including grass clearing, was now underway at the facilities.

South Sudan depends entirely on oil exports and its economy has been hard hit since the country erupted in violence in mid-December last year, with the violence causing severe disruption to the industry.

Production dropped from 245,000 barrels per day to 165,000 after the violence spread from the capital, Juba, to the oil-producing states of Unity and Upper Nile.

Opposition forces under the leadership of former vice-president Riek Machar took control of Unity state’s oil fields in December 2013.

The region has been a flashpoint for violence since the conflict erupted, changing hands several times between government and rebel forces.

However, Dau said government troops are now in full control.

(ST)