Tor Tungwar, the deputy governor of Unity state - credit | Charles Wote/Eye Radio | Nov. 26, 2021

The deputy governor of Unity State has called on the oil companies operating in the state to protect the environment amid flash floods.

The deputy governor, Tor Tungwar made the remarks during the oil investor forum in Bentiu town under the theme:  “Accountable and Transparency, Oil Revenue for Development”.

“We need the oil company to be accountable for the surrounding environment and people living near the oil field. Environment protection and safety must meet international standards,” said Tungwar.

For his part, John Monyiew Nhail, the State Members of Parliament representative of Koch County urged the state government to be more transparent on the allocation of 2% to oil-producing counties.

According to Petroleum Revenue Management, Act (PRMA) 2013 and Petroleum Act (PA) 2012, the local communities in the oil petroleum-producing states shall receive 2% of the Net Petroleum Revenue.

The transfers to the communities shall be used to finance community development projects approved by the county Legislative Council and will be overseen by the Community Development Committees (CDCs) based on transparent, equitable, and objective plans.

The forum participants call on Hope Restoration and their donors to facilitate a similar bigger forum in Juba that should involves the National Minister of Petroleum and oil company head in Juba.

Thus, this will make the accountability call more visible on the national scene.

The oil forum was facilitated by Hope Restoration-South Sudan (HRSS), in partnership with Norwegian People Aid (NPA) under the Oil for Development project (OFD).

It discussed issues ranging from Oil Revenue Transparency, Development, Oil pollution, and Employment.

The forum brought together 30 representatives from Koch, Guit, and Rubkona.

Hope Restoration South Sudan has been engaging local communities in Rubkona and Guit by creating awareness of transparent and accountable management of oil revenue in Unity state and promoting its benefits towards local community socio-economic development.

Hope Restoration is a national organization that has been operational for the past 10 years.

Editor Note: This article was written by Hope Restoration-South Sudan in partnership with Norwegian People Aid (NPA) under the Oil for Development project (OFD).