The exit of the Malaysian oil company Petronas from South Sudan before the release of the findings of an environmental audit has raised concerns with a parliamentarian questioning who will take responsibility for those affected by pollution.
Aisha Abdel Salam, an MP representing Melut County of Upper Nile State in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly raised the concern in parliament on Monday.
“My point of information is on the issue of Petronas, the Malaysian oil company. Up to now, the results of the environmental audit are not yet out,” she stated, and asked: “In case it comes out, who will be responsible, especially for the people affected in places such as Melut, Unity, and Pariang?”
Petronas announced its withdrawal from South Sudan last week after 14 years, citing a changing industry environment.
The exit of Petronas Carigali Nile Ltd (PNCL), confirmed in a statement, comes as UK-based Savannah Energy terminated its planned $1.25 billion acquisition of Petronas’ oil and gas assets in the country.
Oil exploration companies operating in South Sudan have long been accused of environmental pollution that has gone unaddressed for years.
A range of incidents have resulted in oil spills, and limited research has been conducted, showing growing pollution risks on surface and groundwater, including drinking water sources.
Civil society groups and environmental activists have long protested the lack of response to these developments. At the same time, responsible oil companies still fail to provide transparency and accountability over environmental regulation to ensure rigorous safety standards and climate adaptation measures are implemented.
An environmental assessment conducted in 2022 by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry was never made public.
TNLA Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba directed the lawmaker to raise her concern as a motion for the August House to discuss and forge a way forward.
“On this issue, we need to involve the committees of environment and petroleum” she directed. “So, this one is very important and you need to put it in a proper motion.”