By Adia Jildo
The Acholi Community of South Sudan in Eastern Equatoria State of Magwi County are expressing concern over Nyemur/ Limur multi-purpose water and resource development project” aimed to construct two dams.
The community members say there was no assessment done in the area and that the community was not included in the decision-making process regarding the project.
The Minister for Water and Irrigation, Pal Mai presented a memo before the cabinet on the Limur multi-purpose water and resource project worth $ 98 million.
South Sudan’s government announced last week that it agreed with Uganda to build two dams along its borders to supply water for irrigation in the two countries.
“The Acholi Community strongly rejects anything to do with the implementation of the Limur Multipurpose Water and Resource Development project without due formal public consultations and professional conduct of environmental and social impact assessment,” writes the community in a press release seen by Juba Echo.
The community expressed concern, saying the project holds suspicious and questionable agenda because it did not seek prior approval of the Acholi Community Leadership.
“No proper consultations, including the conduct of environmental and social impact assessment was done in coordination with the Community Leadership,” the press statement added
The community also called on the government to act towards the priority of the community rather a project.
“We urge the state and the National Government to instead prioritize the mutual interest between the community and the Government by rehabilitating the Road Infrastructure and fixing the collapsed bridges to improve the livelihood of the Community,” continued the press statement.
The Minister for Water Resources and Irrigation, Pal Mai Deng presented a memo before the Council of Ministers containing a plan dubbed “the Nyemur/ Limur multi-purpose water and resource development project” aimed to construct the two dams, the memo was presented last week
The council of ministers instructed the Water and Irrigation Minister to carryout a survey of the project with specific marks for the project area including consultations with stakeholders and communities.
