Oil fields in Unity State abandoned since the start of South Sudan’s civil war in December 2013 may cause environmental pollution, according to citizens.
George Gatloi Koang, Unity State Community Liaison Officer, said some oil pipelines that were damaged in the conflict are leaking, which may cause health complications for the people living close to the oil producing sites.
He told Radio Miraya in Leer County, “Nowadays there are some pipelines that are leaking which are now mixed with water and we can see that this is a threat to the community in case if someone wants to drink water or if cattle drink the water.”
Officials in Unity states’ Tharjieth black 5A oil field have reported that three oil wells were damaged after engineers fled following fighting in the state, according to the Radio Miraya report.
Gatloi called on the international community and parties to the conflict to find ways of controlling the pollution rising from the oil fields.
File photo: Oil area in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State