The ongoing oil pollution crisis in the Ruweng Administrative Area has reached a critical point, prompting calls for it to be declared a national disaster.

Recent reports revealing a surge in abnormal births in the oil-producing counties of Ruweng have intensified the urgency for swift action.

The pervasive oil contamination in Ruweng poses a grave threat to both current and future generations. Disturbing accounts of neonatal health issues have emerged, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of local communities.

The detrimental effects of oil spills and toxic emissions on human health and the environment cannot be ignored. Communities living near oil fields bear the brunt of these disasters, suffering profound impacts on their health and livelihoods. The Government of South Sudan needs to take immediate steps to protect these vulnerable populations.

A recent incident involving a newborn baby in the Ruweng Administrative Area has highlighted the serious risks faced by future generations due to oil exploration activities in the region. This underscores the urgent need for intervention to safeguard the lives and future of the area’s residents.

Environmental hazards continue to threaten the livelihoods, water sources, and overall health of the population. Disturbing images of oil pollution in the region have sparked public outcry, with residents urging the government to intervene and prevent further harm to communities near oil production sites.

As concerns of a humanitarian and environmental crisis escalate in the Ruweng Administrative Area, the call to declare oil pollution a national disaster becomes increasingly urgent. The well-being of the people, especially vulnerable newborns, and future generations, must be prioritized in decision-making.

It is time for decisive action and effective measures to ensure the safety and preservation of lives in the Ruweng Administrative Area.

Emmanuel Malual Makuach is a South Sudanese journalist and researcher focusing on the impact of social media triggers in the conflicts of 2013 and 2016 in South Sudan. He can be reached via malualmakuach77@gmail.com

The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.