The minister of environment and forestry Josephine Napon Cosmas (pictured) has vowed stern action against rogue oil companies who fail to comply with environmental regulations.

According to Cosmas, part of the remedial punishment would be to suspend the companies from operating the oil fields.

“We have a right as the ministry to stop the operations. We have to make a choice either for our people to die or to get money at their expense. We have the right and we will to put a case against the companies that have gone astray. Many people have lost their lives and I have witnessed that,” she said.

She said many women had fallen victims of the environmental atrocities and ‘now they are giving birth to deformed children who will no longer be able to be leaders’ even as she fired a warning shot that the companies will one day be answerable.

“I personally have visited the oil field and what [transpires] in the oil field is not what we talk about here. Pollution in the oil field is real and our people are dying at the expense of getting money. People’s lives matter!” she said.

Warning

She urged the companies to cooperate saying ‘‘if we file a case against you, that will be your end in the republic of South Sudan.’’

However, a rivalry between her docket and the ministry of petroleum was imminent after she cleverly chided the latter for overstepping its mandate by auditing the companies.

“And I am putting this very clearly our silence does not mean that we are following the ministry of petroleum, I know that is what many people may be saying right now here, that is why the ministry of petroleum has called me it is actually supposed to be purely the work of the ministry of environment,” she protested.

“I want the ministry of petroleum and the members of the auditing committee to take this very seriously.’’

What the law says

According to the laws governing oil mining standard operating procedures (SOPs), the companies should be very transparent and should steer clear of conflicts of interest. They should also not take advantage of the people of South Sudan.

The environmental policy 2015 to 2025 aims to ensure that ‘petroleum operations are conducted in a manner that shall not pollute nor degrade the environment and shall be in accordance best national, regional and international practices.’

It partly states: ‘‘To ensure full compliance of oil companies in the implementation of the environmental management systems EMS and adherence to the relevant ISO ensure that oil companies contracted authorized and are credited individually or companies in conducting environmental annually and to be reviewed by the ministry of environment.’’

‘‘Ensure that oil companies undertake restitution, rehabilitation and recovery programmes for the affected local communities as well and for the degraded environment are treatable to their negligence operations,’’ it adds.

The protocols also require companies to ‘suspend any activity that may result in loss of lives, personal injury, pollution damage to the property or environment or a negative effect on the livelihoods of a persons in the immediate facility of the oil operation.’ 

The companies are also mandated to ensure an implementation if the of the provisions of the Petroleum Act 2012 on environmental conservation.

Part of this act requires that companies must observe the labour laws on safety of the workers when on duty.

 Bidding

The government has so far received an application from six companies interested in doing the environmental audit. They include: Envage associate (K) Ltd, Bright heritage company limited, CSI International-Bomatex Ltd, Panloy & SGS Belgium, Cowi AS Norway (bridge consult Norway in partnership with Enviro care) and Optimum engineering.

The minister of petroleum Puot Kang and Cosmas have warned the bidders against flouting the procurement laws of the country.

 “You must know that you are representing the people of south Sudan, who are producing deformed children, don’t get bribed to go for money. I want to assure you we shall not let you go,’’ Cosmas said.

The audit of the oil fields had not been conducted since 1997. The process was initiated after series of protests and a court by civil society members at the East African court.