VP Hussein wants parliament to decide if dredging should be subjected to referendum

JUBA — South Sudan Vice President Hussein Abdelbaggi has said that he want the transitional parliament to decide if the river dredging initiative be subjected to public opinion through referendum.

Last June, the ministry of water resources and irrigation announced the arrival of heavy river dredging machines to Bentiu from Egypt in preparation for a now-suspended initiative to dredge Nam river of weeds.

The initiative sparked social media uproar among the citizens with those opposing it accusing the government of colluding with Egypt against the common interest of the South Sudanese citizens.

On the other hand, those supporting it say the government initiative will help open water ways and open up the country for trade and reduce the devastating flooding that has affected more than one third of the population in Unity State.

President  Salva Kiir on Independence Day suspended the dredging initiative and ordered a public consultation process that witnessed senior government officials such as information minister Michael Makuei clashing with experts.

Speaking upon his arrival from the United Arab Emirates this afternoon, VP Hussein lamented what he calls misinformation and urged the citizens to respect the decision of President Kiir and five time for feasibility study to take place.

“In regards to water resources and management, I am reminding the public to step up vigilance about misinformation from unreliable sources and respect the suspension of river dredging related activities regarded to undergo scientific feasibility study for an informed decision,” Hussein said.

The senior government official further said that the process should involve the parliament in order to decide if a referendum should be conducted for the citizens to decide.

“And not only that but I suggest the whole process should involve parliament to examine if citizens should be engaged in a referendum process,” he added.

The senior government official further expressed condolences over the demise of the Mayom County commissioner who was killed by rebel forces allied to General Stephen Buay Rolnyang on Friday morning.

“I am voicing solidarity with the people of Mayom county in Unity state over the death of their commissioner Chuol Gatluak Manime, along his guards. The killing of civilians and a political figure when the country is at peace remains a despicable crime,” he said.

“For that matter, I am calling upon those who are still carrying arms against the coalition government to console their hearts and drop them to pave way for scio-economic-political stability,” he added.