Kiir should order ‘immediate resumption’ of dredging to save lives, youth leader Gola Boyoi urges

JUBA – The leader of South Sudan’s National Youth Union (SSNYU) Gola Boyoi Gola is urging President Salva Kiir Mayardit to go ahead with the dredging initiative to save the lives of the floods affected communities in Unity State, Upper Nile and parts of Jonglei.

This comes after the conclusion of the public consultation process ordered by President Salva Kiir Mayardit following the public outcry about the arrival of heavy machinery from Egypt to Unity State’s capital Bentiu in preparation for dredging exercise to clear Nam River of weed.

The public was concerned over the government initiative that is being carried out without a proper feasibility study with many being concerned by damages to the environment as a result of the dredging process.

In a statement, Gola said the president should now order the immediate resumption of dredging initiative in order to save the lives of the flood-affect communities and to also open water ways for economic activities.

“The President should now order the immediate resumption of dredging to save lives of our affected population in Unity State, and to resume the river transportation,” he said.

‘HIDDEN AGENDA’

The youth leader further accused section of citizens calling themselves Social Movement for Change (SMC) who are opposition the government dredging exercise saying they have an hidden agenda of bringing change on the pretext of being careful about the environment.

“It’s now clear that those whom were making noise were actually having hidden agenda. They are no longer just a Social Media activists, but Social movement for change,” he said.

“They are intending to bring about social, economic, cultural and environmental change which means its looming political movement against the Government,” he added.