Residents in areas closer to oil fields in Unity State say oil leaks in conflict areas is polluting environment and endangering their health.

A report published yesterday by StarAfrica.com says oil leaks from damaged pipelines due to the protracted conflict in South Sudan have caused widespread fears of environmental pollution in the country.

George Gatloi Koang, Unity State Community Liaison Officer, said abandoned oilfields in the state since the civil war began in December last year may cause environmental pollution.

“Nowadays there are some pipelines that are leaking which are now mixed with water. It is dangerous for people and cattle to drink the polluted water,” Mr Gatloi stated.

“It’s dangerous for people and cattle to drink the polluted water.”

Mr Gatloi urged the international community and parties to the conflict in South Sudan to find ways of controlling the pollution rising from the oilfields.

Meanwhile the Pariang County Commissioner, Monylang Manyiel, has linked an infection amongst local residents to oil leakages in the County.

He said the infection started after people began drinking polluted water caused by damaged pipelines.

There were no comments from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining regarding this report.