Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Presidential Affairs. |Photo: Office of the President.

The Minister Presidential Affairs on Thursday appealed to regional and international firms to come and invest in South Sudan’s natural resources and in particular the agricultural sector.

Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin said the country is gifted with “enormous” natural resources such as oil, gold, copper, iron, uranium, and fertile land that are not being utilized.

The official added that the government is building peace and stability.

“There are over 20 different types of minerals in this country. Gold, copper, iron, uranium name it,” Marial said.

He was speaking on behalf of President Salva Kiir during the official opening of the Oil and Power Conference in Juba on June 15.

“We can bring in investors, and this can be used not only for the benefit of the people of South Sudan, but even the region and internationally that is what we want to happen.”

“Our enormous agriculture potential is there, we warmly welcome you in order to farm this land. All that we need to do is to pray for rain to come.”

The Oil and Power conference brought together national, regional, and international investors to explore various investment opportunities including upstream, midstream, mining, power generation and distribution, services, and infrastructure sectors.

Oil pollution

Minister Marial said as much as the country intends to welcome investors into the oil and other mineral sectors, they must do so with regards to the welfare and safety of communities in those areas.

He directed the Ministry of Petroleum to protect communities in the oil fields from the oil hazards.

“Now, the call for investment must factor into consideration the challenge that comes with oil production such as pollution,” he said.

“The Ministry of Petroleum must prioritize environmental studies with the goal of protecting the communities in oil-producing areas from the impact of oil pollution both in new and old production areas.”

“Balancing the economic benefit of oil production with protecting our people and livelihood from pollution is imperative.”

On Wednesday, a coalition of civil society organizations called on the government and key players in the oil sector to protect communities in the oil-producing areas.

The pressure group appealed to oil companies to respect South Sudan laws and exercise their corporate social responsibilities to pay back to the communities.

This year’s theme for the Oil and Power Conference: “Engine of East African Growth” aims to position South Sudan as the link of petroleum exploration and production, innovation, and energy cooperation.