Let debate around dredging be informed by science, CEPO urges leaders, citizens

JUBA – South Sudan’s civil society advocacy group, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), is urging citizens and the leaders to exercise debate on river dredging-related matters in a professional and unrestrictive way that is informed by science.

The arrival of heavy dredging machinery from Egypt in June sparked public debate, forcing President Salva Kiir Mayardit to suspend all dredging-related activities along the river Nile “until credible, professional evidence-based studies are carried out on the impact of dredging both on the surrounding communities and their ecosystem.”

In a statement, the CEPO said it was concerned by the difference in opinion which he said is the right thing, but should be conducted in a professional manner as some section of citizens have attempted to politicize.

“Community Empowerment for Progress Organization takes this opportunity to raise concern following the difference on opinion on matters of the river dredging where public outcry made H.E. the President to suspend the river dredging project while in Unity State our citizens move to dredge the river Nam use hand tools,” the CEPO said in the statement extended to Sudans Post.

“CEPO would like to urge the citizens that difference in opinions should be viewed as healthy dialogue for better public governance practices,” the notable civil society organization said in the statement.

Edmund Yakani, the CEPO’s Executive Director stressed that debates on matters such as river dredging should be informed by science and warned that climate change which is now the subject of debate in most countries is real.

“Yes, river dredging is not politics or open public debate subject but it is a science. Now on the point of view about science, it is logical that any augment on the river dredging should be done after proper scientific baseline surveys or assessments are carried out for generating scientific facts of the interventions,” Yakani said.

“The science around climate change of yesterday or of 50 years ago is totally difference from the today and tomorrow science around climate change and this should the scientific point of moving forward,” he added.

While stressed the need for opening of river lines for navigation, Yakani said clearance of weeds and opening of waterways should be conducted based on scientific research such that it does not affect the lives of the people and the animals.

“River converging for better river transport access or reduction of floods is a good approach but it should be carryout in scientific manner. Factors of climate change per the current or today world environment are real and it should not undermine politically, because it has direct negative implications on human and livestock growth and development,” Yakani said.

“Our call to our leaders is allow the directive of the president for scientific approach to take place than politically pushing for action without scientific studies. We are fully aware of the floods implications on the lives of our people and we must scientific approach in mitigating that,” the activist stressed.

He further urged the public and their leaders “to take the dialogue around the river dredging from professional and unrestrictive viewpoint.”

“This dialogue should not be taken emotional by anyone attempting to raise a concern. It is our national interest as some leaders have said. Consensus building on national interest is always character of matured leadership and public governance,” he added.