Authorities in oil-rich Melut launch 17-year development plan
Local authorities in Melut County of Upper Nile have launched 17-year development plan dubbed “Melut Vision 2040”.
The 2023-2040 plan aims to transform Melut County into a modern County and promote social-economic development, improve access to quality education, healthcare services, and provision of infrastructure, clean drinking water and electricity.
While launching development plan in Juba on Saturday, James Odhok Oyai, Governor of Upper Nile State vowed to work with local authorities to rebuild the restive State that has been mired in unending conflict since December 2013.
“This time around, I don’t want any civilian in Upper Nile to die, we must all work together very hard to restore peace and stability in Upper Nile,” Odhok said.
“Upper Nile was number one in development but now Upper Nile is the last, and we should work hard to return Upper Nile to its glorious days,” he said.
Odhok also promised to restore peace and stability in Upper Nile.
“This time around, we are going to embark on development like what is happening in Melut because Upper Nile has been completely destroyed by conflict, we destroyed it and we must rebuild it,” he said.
the 2023-2040 development plan is in-line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the SPLM vision of taking town to the people.
Deng Joh Angok, Melut County Commissioner said the 3 percent oil share allocated to Melut community will be implemented in transparent manner for the benefit of the entire community.
“We will do what we can to ensure implementation of 3% share of oil revenue. The 3% will boost development in Melut,” Angok said.
Stephen Dhieu Dau, Chairperson of Melut Community called on State and County authorities to cooperate during the implementation of 2 and 3 percent oil share.
“The oil management Act 2013 says that 2 percent oil share should be given to state government and 3 percent to the communities and it must be governed through community organs,” Dhieu said.
“The community has the role to manage it (2 percent oil share) but it must also be supervised by the authorities and there must be cooperation so that services are delivered to the people,” he added.
Oil fields in Melut County are operated by Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC), a consortium comprising of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Malaysia’ Petronas and Nile Petroleum Corporation Limited (NILEPET).
It is estimated the Melut County has about 1.3 billion barrels of proven reserves.
