Controversial Naam River clearance nears completion, says VP Taban

JUBA – The controversial clearing of the Naam River is nearing completion, according to South Sudan’s Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster, Taban Deng Gai.

He made the announcement during the opening session of the second Juba Economic Conference in Juba on Monday.

“The cleaning of River Naam from Bentiu is progressing well and is about to be completed,” he said.

“After the completion of this phase, which is phase one, we will embark on the second phase which is cleaning of River Naam from Bentiu up to Machar-Chol in Warrap State so that people and goods can easily move by badges from Renk up to Machar-Chol,” Deng said.

Deng emphasized the importance of river transport for the country.

“We will start moving doubles east and sailboats along Bahr el Jebel, White Nile, Sobat and Akobo River so that Badges with bigger capacity can be used along the Nile,” he said.

The vice president stated that the cleaning project aims to develop river transport from Juba to Renk and from Lake No to Bentiu up to Torch in Warrap State.

In October 2022, the South Sudanese cabinet approved the cleaning of waterways as a means to address climate change impacts and improve navigation.

The Naam River cleaning project commenced in Unity State in April 2023, utilizing four excavators supplied by Egypt. The project had initially faced opposition from civil society and environmental groups.