The authorities of South Sudan’s Upper Nile State intend to relocate villages in the neighbourhood of the Melut oil fields and the people living adjacent to the oil industry, for alleged health reasons.

The Melut County Commissioner, Kuic Teny Diing, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the necessary arrangements to start the relocation process have been well prepared.  

Several medical reports have confirmed the outbreak of unknown infections among people living in those areas, due to oil waste spills. The environmental pollution could cause health irritations, according to the commissioner.

File photo: Area near the Paloch oil field in Melut County (theniles.org)