The government of South Sudan is on the spot for continuously ignoring environmental reports on its oil industry. Widespread oil pollution in the country continues to affect both plant and animal life through the destruction of habitats. Currently, babies are being born with severe deformities. Will anything be done?
Throughout her pregnancy term, Abui Mou Kuth expected to deliver a bouncing healthy baby. Upon delivery, her expectation of joy was quickly turned to worry and disappointment as her son, Ping, was born with severe deformities.
Ping was born with six fingers on each hand, a deformed foot on one leg while the other leg was stunted, and a swollen kidney. His mother is now worried about his future. She is not alone in worrying as hers is not the only child with deformities.
Many other women in South Sudan have either miscarried, had stillbirths, gave birth to babies with deformities, or lost the babies altogether due to environmentally-related causes.
Oil in South Sudan
South Sudan is an oil-rich country, and it can be drilled from almost anywhere in the country. Before its independence from Sudan, South Sudan used to provide at least 85% of the total Sudanese oil exports.
Following independence in 2011, South Sudan’s oil sponsors at least 98% of its economy.
While the country is rich in oil, it suffers from occasional conflicts and civil wars, especially in the oil-rich fields. This has been attributed to fighting for access control of the oil fields.
From the wars, oil pipelines and factories often get damaged. This results in leakages, which usually take time to be repaired, and by the time repair is done, a significant amount will have spilled on the ground.
South Sudan is one of the poorest countries on earth, with only 10,000 km of paved roads. Most villages have no electricity, and residents have no access to clean water. And the only little available water is severely polluted with oil.
The soil has also been affected, leading to reduced agricultural yields. As a result, the indirect effects of oil pollution in South Sudan now include deforestation, famine, poaching, etc.
Effects of Oil Pollution in South Sudan
The drilling of oil in South Sudan is contracted to big international companies. Some of these include the Greater Pioneer Operating Co. and the Chinese-led Dar Petroleum Operating Co. The government has stakes in these and other companies licensed to drill oil as well.
The oil was discovered in 1979, but production began in 1993. Almost three decades later, there is no proper disposal of effluent from the drilling companies. This is despite having the capacity to install waste cleaning systems.
The Paloich area, which is a city in the Upper Nile state, is covered with waste pits full of toxic water and chemicals. Also nearby are crudely dumped containers and drums off black sludge, which slowly soaks into the soil.
Reports by Non-Governmental Organizations, including the United Nations Environmental Program, have been issued a warning of the potential hazards that could arise. But the government of South Sudan continues to ignore these warnings actively.
The companies drilling the oil have also refuted claims of pollution and, in some cases, have tried to flog researchers, journalists, and activists seeking to expose them.
Research carried out by the Environmental Justice Atlas found out that the companies spewed out their processed water without adhering to the country’s environmental standards. As a result, the locals’ underground water has become poisoned and led to many of them going to clinics with symptoms like nausea, skin problems, and other neurological problems.
According to the research, the locals started complaining of salty water from as early as 2000. They also complained that their plants and animals were dying and that the water was stinky. Recently, the rate of birth defects has been soaring, and experts point it to oil pollution.
Environmental pollution is a ticking time bomb, and everyone should gear towards conserving the environment. In South Sudan, the government and leaders should stress more on curtailing oil pollution. It should clean the environment and make it safe for its citizens. Otherwise, soon there will be nobody left to lead.
