The Minister of Petroleum says putting harsh conditions on oil producing companies from China will affect their friendship.
Ezekiel Lul Gatkuoth was on Tuesday answering to a parliamentary debate on issues regarding a report on effects of oil production in Paloch.
He explains his ministry will pressurize the companies to follow the laws of the country and the international environmental standards.
The minister stresses that being harsh on Chinese state owned company means losing China, which is the only friend left in South Sudan.
This came few days after the minister of Environment reveals that her ministry tried to summon oil producing companies over pollution related issues, but failed to coorperate.
The agreement does not mandate the companies to be answerable to anyone apart from the ministry of Petroleum, Lul clarifies.
He says, Fourteen people and about sixty-five animals were reported dead in a 2005 as a result of drowning in water ponds.
He adds that eight people were reported dead in 2005 and 2011 including four children and two adults who died from 2011 to date.
The minister says all these were compensated respectfully.