The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations on Natural Resources (CSCNR) on Wednesday called on foreign investors to consider health and safety of oil workers and local communities in oil-producing states within South Sudan.
The group made this call during the closing of the 5th Oil & Power Conference in Juba on Wednesday.
“We are appealing to foreign investors to consider the health and safety of oil workers and local communities in the oil-producing areas in South Sudan,” Michael Duku, CSCNR Deputy Chairperson told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.
Duku asked the companies to adhere to the best international investment practice that uphold the rights of communities and citizens of South Sudan during exploration, extraction and development process within the oil sector without biases.
Duku who send an enthusiastic call for transparency and accountability in oil transaction from all stakeholders whether foreign or domestic also demanded that environmental preservation should not be thrown behind in the process of the oil expedition.
“We desire for proper utilization of oil revenues to expedite developmental projects like roads, electricity, and social services,” he said.
He also warned all the active participants in the energy sector against neglecting health, safety and environmental concerns adding that the people and the environment should be protected from potential hazards that can be emitted during the process of oil extraction and processing.
Daku stressed the need for job creation within the oil and gas sector to observe the local workforce in whose roles, labor laws,policies and workers’ rights are enforced by government.
“We call upon the government to implement the revitalized peace agreement in letter and spirit to build investor’s confidence and enable the citizens enjoy peace dividends,” Duku said.
