Professor Tag Elkhazin, a Sudanese-born-Canadian citizen, and world-renowned expert on the Nile water at public consultation forum in Juba - Courtesy

A world-renowned expert on the Nile Waters Tag Elkhazin has welcomed the council of ministers’ approval to clean and clear the rivers for navigation in South Sudan, without dredging.

Yesterday, in its extraordinary meeting, the cabinet gave a green light for the cleaning and clearing of the rivers – but after proper studies were conducted.

The move comes four months after damning criticisms from the public over plans to dredge the Nile River.

Professor Tag Elkhazin who has over 50 years of experience in water resource management described the decision as good news.

The anti-dredging Professor spoke to Eye Radio through social media early this morning today.

“I got some very credible information from Africano who was in the meeting of the council of ministers, and all seems to be good,” said Prof Tag.

“The president came to our side, and the forces of evil represented by two ministers were trying to go for dredging and then suing the president, but he stood his ground,

“We now have a resolution that is clearing, and cleaning that should be done. Only what we needed and only under national supervision and national contractors according to the source who attended the meeting,

“The dredging is out, so we have good news, and we can sleep with our eyes closed and a big smile on our faces, great and I am sure that what’s right for the people of South Sudan, shall always prevail.”

Professor Elkhazin had, prior to the decision, called on South Sudan to stop the dredging project saying it was not in the interest of South Sudanese.

He also advised South Sudanese debate carefully on the matter before embarking on the project.

This is because he said, it was in the interest of a foreign country, not South Sudanese interest.

Elkhazin trained and worked in Sudan, Sweden, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Eritrea, Nigeria, Chad, Nigeria, Canada, and the United Kingdom in Water Resources, Human Resources, and Implementation of Infra Structural and Energy Projects.