Experts recommend suspension of dredging-related activities as public consultation closes

JUBA – The five-day public consultation and awareness on the management of Sudd Wetland and Nile waters that was ordered by President Salva Kiir Mayardit last week has ended with recommendations that the government suspend all dredging-related activities along the Nile River and its tributaries.

14 in total, the recommendations urges government to stop the its dredging initiative until went a credible studies are conducted to establish impact of the project and also urged parliament to legislate laws that protect the water.

Among the recommendations also is for the parliament to form a committee for water management and the appointment of a legal advisor for South Sudan’s ministry of water resources and irrigation that would help in translating waters laws to the ministry.

The consultation also recommended for the establishment of an independent water commission and further urged the transitional government of national unity to develop national records and archives on water resources.

PUBLIC OUTCRY

The recommendations, all expected as experts were accused of have pre-existing grudges with Egypt are released a day after residents of Unity State’s capital Bentiu took it upon themselves to invade the Nile and dredge it using their hands.

They accused the government in Juba of ignoring their suffering as they have blamed floods for displacing 80 percent of Unity State’s population and increasing hunger as citizens have not been able to cultivate as the whole state is in water.