Peace, Development, SOUTH SUDAN:
South Sudan targets self reliance in oil

11/28/2012 9:49:34 AM Reprint | | Print |

JUBA - The South Sudanese government says it is developing its own oil industry and will start producing fuel for domestic consumption within the next eight months. - According to Petroleum and Mining Minister, Stephen Dhieu Dau, one of government’s priorities is to establish the nation’s infrastructure so South Sudan can process the commodity itself.

Oil production shut down in January after a dispute with neighboring Sudan over oil transit fees.

South Sudan took with it 75 percent of Sudan’s oil when it gained independence from the rest of the country in 2011 but relies on Sudanese refineries and pipelines to process and transport its oil to the international market.

Meanwhile, local communities and activists are urging oil companies to protect the environment in oil-producing areas and have called for reports of pollution to be investigated. /IPS (END//2012)

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