President Kiir appreciates RSS citizens for supporting government decision on oil
JUBA, 23 January 2012 – The President of the Republic H.E. Gen Salva Kiir Mayrdit has appreciated the people of South Sudan – the youth, women civil society and religious leaders for supporting the decision made by the government to shut down the oil production.
President Kiir (centre) addressing the procession. He is accompanied by the Vice President Hon Dr Riek Machar Teny (left) and the speaker of the National Legislative Assembly Rt Hon James Wani Igga (right).
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
H.E Kiir made these remarks when addressing a peaceful public procession at the National Legislative Assembly, organized today on Monday January 23rd, 2012 by the civil society organizations and South Sudan Students’ Union, to support the government’s decision of shutting down the oil production.
President Kiir assured the people of South Sudan that South Sudan will not allow Khartoum to loot its oil again. He also asserted that the pipeline to Khartoum is not the only lifeline and that there are other alternatives available. “We do not have problems with the people or citizens of Sudan but we have problems with the ruling government in Khartoum”, he clarified. He described the ruling class as Al-Asaba(gangs). President Kiir called on the South Sudanese citizens not to harm any citizen of Northern Sudan living in South Sudan explaining that they are innocent citizens.
South Sudanese hold a procession in support of the government’s decision.
[Photo: Thomas Kenneth]
On his part, the deputy governor of Central Equatoria state (CES) Hon Manasi Lomule read to the procession a memo from the people and government of his state that the CES is hundred percent supports the National Council of ministers decision of shutting down the oil production and look for other alternatives for exporting South Sudan Oil, and CES stands firm with the President of the Republic H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and will follow the developments keenly.
Reported by Thomas Kenneth
South Sudan instructs oil companies to stop operations
JUBA, 21 January 2012(NASS) – The Republic of South Sudan has instructed all foreign companies operating in its oil fields to prepare a shut down plan for halting the operation of its oil.
The order was announced by the minister for Information and Broadcasting and the Official Spokesperson of the government of South Sudan, Hon Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin to reporters yesterday in a press briefing at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting headquarters.
He said the Republic of South Sudan’s crude oil is now not safe in the Republic of Sudan saying that it is being stolen and prevented from reaching the international market by the government in Khartoum.
“In the last few days Khartoum has stolen approximately over $ 350million worth of oil from South Sudan using force while preventing over $ 400 million from being purchased and this is through restricting vessels from entering or leaving the port by using their security”, Dr Marial explained.
Hon Marial (right) and Hon Dhieu (left) addressing the media yesterday.
[Photo: Ajang Monychol]
He explained that the decision comes after series of violations from Khartoum. These include:
- On the 24th Dec. 2011, government of Sudan (GOS) prevented loading of 600,000 bbls of South Sudan-Nile blend;
- On the 30th, Dec. 2011, GOS detained 1000,000 bbls Dar blend sold to Vitol;
- On the 31st, Dec. 2011, GOS prevented ships from loading 600,000 bbls of RSS Nile blend;
- On the 3rd, Jan. 2012, GOS detained vessels loaded with 600,000 bbls of Dar blend of RSS which belongs to Petronile;
- On the 8th, Jan. 2012, GOS detained Sinopec vessels loaded with 900,000bbls Dar blend of RSS;
- On the 13th, Jan. 2012, GOS lifted 605,784 bbls Dar blend crude oil of RSS;
- On the 16th, Jan. 2012, GOS lifted by force 618712 bbls Dar blend crude oil of RSS;
- Also on the same date, GOS instructed PDOC to transfer 120,000 bbls of Dar blend crude oil of RSS to be delivered to Khartoum refinery directly from the illegal pipeline tie into KRC which was partly constructed and operated by GOS;
- On the 19th, Jan. 2012, GOS lifted by force 600,000 bbls of RSS’ Nile blend crude oil.
“Indeed, the option of shutting down the oil companies is not the best but the Republic of South Sudan is a sovereign nation and must protect its resources”, said the minister for Petroleum and Mining Hon Stephen Dhieu Dau.
He stated that the oil operations will remain shut until a fair deal is reached with Khartoum or else it will remain so till South Sudan develops its own oil infrastructure that will ensure the people reap the true benefits of their oil.
He also promised to return the oil stolen by Khartoum right from the 24th Dec. 2011 till the last day of the theft. He stressed that he will never give up until the stolen oil is brought back to its rightful owners, the people of the Republic of South Sudan.
He further warned the oil companies involved in buying the stolen that the government of South Sudan has already taken legal procedures to trace them and will take drastic legal action against them.
“I know challenges are there after shutting the oil fields but the government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has taken measures to address them; we will soon be building our own pipeline to transport oil through the Republic of Kenya”, he said.
Reported by Martin Jada Gabriel, News Agency of South Sudan (NASS)
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