The Civil society coalition is calling for the government to be transparent in the oil sector and allowed the citizens to know the uses of oil money.
South Sudan Civil society coalition on natural resources and environment (CSCNR) says the government of South Sudan must exercise transparency and accountability in the oil sector.
Michael Duku Aggrey, the Deputy Chairperson of the Coalition and the Director of AMDISS speaks to the media during the 5th Oil and Power conference that concluded in Juba on Wednesday.
Duku says authorities should publicly disclose all the transactions made by investors as stipulated in the petroleum Act 2012.
“We demand transparency and accountability of all transactions made by investors in the oil sector as demanded by Petroleum Act 2012,” he said.
He says the government should properly utilize the oil revenues to expedite development, create more jobs and provide social services in the country.
Early this year, the former Minister of Finance, Agak Acuil Lual, made remarked to the media that the oil is sold in advance until 2027.
Michael appeals to both the government and the stakeholders to protect the oil workers and the host communities around the oilfields due to poor environmental management of waste.
“We urged proper utilisation of oil revenues by providing the infrastructure needed to expedite development,” Aggrey expressed.
However, the Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Puot Kang Chuol said his ministry in partnership with other stakeholders has been conducting a financial cost recovery Audit of all the joint operating companies in the petroleum sector for the last three years.
He says the ministry of petroleum for the last three years had identified loopholes in the sector, initiated some reforms, and was able to improve the transparency in the oil sector in the country.
“We have launched and conducted a financial cost recovery audit for all the joint operating companies in the country to help improve transparency in the oil sector,” Kang stressed.
Mr. Kang said the government has launched and opened a competitive tender for the provision of a comprehensive environmental review and audit for all the country’s oilfields to reduce environmental pollution and also strengthen its environmental law.
On Tuesday, First Vice President Dr. Riak Machar said the government is ready and keen to observe transparency and accountability in all the sectors of the country.
South Sudan held a two-day conference that concluded on Wednesday as its fifth Edition conference on oil and power which discusses the country’s position on supplying energy to the East African region.