Kiir gives green light to clearance of Nile tributaries

JUBA — South Sudan government on Monday approved clearance of River Nile tributaries to ease water flow and navigation.

The decision came following a presentation to the cabinet chaired by President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the outcome of the public consultation on river dredging by Minister for Presidential Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin on Monday.

Speaking to reporters following a cabinet meeting on Monday, Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information said cleaning of rivers will cut out water hyacinth that is blocking transportation and the flow of water.

“The cabinet decided that what should be done is the cleaning and clearing of the waterways, remove
any obstacle on the way and land and clearing ways so that the water can be used for navigation and
other issues,” The Dawn Newspaper quotes Makuei as saying.

Makuei noted that the entire country is under water following months of heavy flooding since the start of
this year.

The government spokesman disclosed that the cabinet passed the resolutions to the high-level committee that will be chaired by the minister of presidential affairs which also includes, the ministers of health, humanitarian affairs, wildlife, and interior.