South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum and Mining Stephen Dhieu Dau says that the government is now cleaning up damages caused during recent fighting between SPLA-IO and SPLA-Juba forces in Unity State oil fields around Pariang and Rubkona.

“There was insecurity in Unity State in generally and we are now going back after our SPLA forces have taken over the oil fields. We have sent people to clean and to save the facilities in the areas,” Dhieu said. 

However, reports of leakages at the oil production areas in Unity State have caused concern for the potential impact on communities living near the oil areas.

Dhieu said, “The government is in full control of the oil fields in Unity and Northern oil fields in Pariang and Rubkona and we are preparing to cut the grass so that bush fire should not affect the facilities. The second step will be the assessment; we have sent operators together with the ministry technicians to conduct damage assessments in the facilities in order to plan for resumption of the oil production.”

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Ambassador in South Sudan, Tone Tinnes has reportedly expressed williness to continue supporting the government and the ministry of oil, noting that Norway has previously cooperated by sharing experts to help in the oil sector. 

“I have expressed my hope that we will have soon have a peace agreement that will also benefit the oil production in this country,” Tinnes said.