The Controversial Nile Dredging Project has Kicked off in Unity State, South Sudan
Amidst a wave of nationwide resistance, the controversial Nile Dredging Project has been initiated along the banks of the River Naam in Unity State.
By Tom Gatdel Malou, Nairobi, Kenya
Monday, 04 September 2023 (PW) — I am writing today to share my profound joy as I witness a long-held dream, championed alongside government officials including H.E. Salva Kiir, H.E. 1st Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, and H.E. Taban Deng, finally becoming a reality. Fellow South Sudanese, with great enthusiasm, I wish to bring your attention to the ongoing dredging endeavour.
The commencement of dredging marks a momentous occasion, and I want to offer heartfelt congratulations to the people of South Sudan living along the banks of the River Naam and the nations within the Nile Basin. The much-anticipated restoration of our wetlands has commenced, signifying a significant step towards nationwide environmental conservation.
It is imperative to assure citizens and residents that the dredging process poses no harm to the ecosystem, which encompasses both in-situ and ex-situ habitats. On the contrary, it is expected to enhance and revitalise these ecological niches. This initiative aligns seamlessly with Sustainable Development Goal No. 6, which strives for universal access to clean water and sanitation, and Goal No. 14, which emphasises the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
I implore environmentalists to collaborate with H.E. the President, the Vice President, and H.E. Gen. Taban Deng, who serves as the cluster chair, to elucidate this endeavour’s fundamental benefits. Let us not misconstrue it as a mere leap forward but rather as a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental and climatic stewardship on the global stage.
Furthermore, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to H.E. Gen. Taban Deng Gai, the chair of the infrastructure cluster, for his unwavering resolve, which has materialised this vision. It is worth emphasising that our environment, marred by the protracted conflict between the two Sudans, demands double efforts to restore it to its natural state.
Transboundary resources require adept personnel to address the challenges and obstacles that could disrupt their sustainability. I also call upon all relevant institutions to expedite this comprehensive process by removing any hindrances that may impede its progress. To ensure the success of this endeavour, we must mobilize our entire community, from the highest levels of leadership to the grassroots.
In conclusion, I wish to remind all citizens that we need not fear this initiative, as it aligns with the fundamental environmental principle that “Nature knows best.”
The author, Tom Gatdel Malou, is a concerned South Sudanese student at the University of Nairobi, specialising in Geography, Population, and Environmental Studies, who can be reached at gatdelmalou@students.uonbi.ac.ke.
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