LED lamp light source of the 21st Century

Espoo Finland, December 2008

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

The Foundation for electronic building technology and engineering at the Helsinki University of Technology was established by the Ensto Schneider Electric Finland Company in 2004. The main objective of the foundation is to support electronic building technology students at technical universities in Finland. Therefore, the foundation is to encouraging research on new technologies such as renewable energy and light emitting diode (LED).

At the first year of my doctoral degree, my Professor Liisa Halonen nominated my thesis titled: lighting and energy usage in Sudan for the foundation award in 2008. The thesis was divided in to two main sections: energy and lighting. In energy section renewable energies such as wind, solar and hydro were proposed to produce electricity and LED to light up the homes in Sudan. 

A huge research on LED attracted scientists over the world as the best lighting technology. Incandescent light bulbs lit the 20^th Century and LED lamp proved to be the best lighting technology of the 21^st century.

In November 2008, my thesis was declared as the winner of the award in 2008 by the foundation. It was the third award since the foundation was established in 2004. The first and the second awards were announced by 2006 and 2007 respectively.

The ceremony of handing the award was fixed in December 2^nd 2018 at the premises of the Ensto Schneider Electric Finland in Espoo. From Helsinki University of Technology, my Professor Liisa Halonen, Professor Jouko Pakka and I attended the event.  Mr. Kari Laine, CEO of Schneider Electric Finland handed over the award to me. It was one of the excited moment in my life when I first own an award. The next day December 3^rd 2008 I was leaving for Khartoum since I left Sudan in April 2002. I am going home and in my hands two things: Masters’ Degree of Electrical Engineering and in other hand the award valued €2000 thousand euros.

My thesis was chosen because it addresses the typical issues such as renewable energy combined with LED lighting said Mr. Kari Laine. Though the thesis discusses these issues in different angle and that it focusses only on the Sudan but the proposal of LED as the latest lighting technology is interesting and unique. The thesis is as well contributing in knowledge of introducing LED as the best lighting application in developed and in developing countries.

Interestingly, in September 2006, the Millennium Technology Prize by Technology Academy Finland was awarded to LED research Professor Shuji Nakamura. The award which valued one (1) million euros was for his work in developing new blue bright light source, green, and blue lasers. Professor Nakamura’s work has completely revolutionized lighting industry by discovering new blue and white LED light source. The efficient and energy-saving white LED light applications will improve the quality of human life in developed and developing countries.

Professor Nakamura visited the Lighting Unit, Department of Electrical & Communications Engineering at the Helsinki University of Technology in 2006 Finland. This is the same year I joined the unit and started my LED research. I have used some of his LED research and discoveries in my thesis document. My Master’s thesis titled lighting and energy usage in Sudan was completed by 2007. I continue my LED research and I have successfully completed the doctoral dissertation titled LED lighting combined with solar panels in developing countries by 2011. During my research I have proposed LED light combined with solar energy to light up houses of those who have no access to electricity.

Amazingly, in October 2014, Professor Shuji Nakamura from University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA was awarded a Nobel Prize in Physic “for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled energy-saving white light sources”. He shared the prize which valued to SEK 8 million equivalent to US$1.1 million or €1.16 million with Isamu Akasaki, and Hiroshi Amano, from Nagoya University Japan jointly. LED lighting could increase the quality of life for over 1.5 billion people around the world who have no access to electricity services. These population have one of the lowest power requirements in the world that can be powered by cheap local solar power.

Today, LED lights are found everywhere in our daily activities: from electronic displays, cars, ships, to trains, TVs screens, smart phones screens, and from households lighting, offices lighting, to traffic lights, airports, torch lights, planes etc. In South Sudan, LED products are available in markets and are accessible whenever you want. Since 99% of the South Sudanese people has no access to electricity, my house is completely lit up with LED lights and solar panels.

In December 2011, I returned to South Sudan but did not continue LED research, instead, since 2012 I keep teaching electrical engineering courses at the department of Electrical Engineering University of Juba. Utilization of Electrical Energy is the only course where I can share and discuss with students different types of light sources including LED light and applications.

My award valued €0.002 million euros Millennium Technology Prize and €0.0006 million euros Nobel Physics Prize. Both these prestigious prizes won by Professor Shuji Nakamura on his works and invention of white LED. This is the weight of my contribution to science of LED light compared to these giant scientists who spent decades researching on LED in the field of electrical and electronics engineering. In spite of the limited time I spent on LED research five (5) years from 2006 to 2011, I can proudly say I have immersive contributed to the science of LED as one of the greatest discoveries of the 21^st Century.

South Sudan electricity service is improving

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

The basic requirement of any country’s sustainable economic development is access to abundant and reliable electricity supply. A country without access to a proper electricity service her economy is described as floating. Electricity is a prime mover of any economy, without it, factories do not operate, modern equipment such as computers may not function.  Furthermore, health institutions cannot perform their duties at day/night times, students cannot do their home works at day/night times as well.

Electricity improves quality of living standard both in urban and rural areas. By powering offices, schools and household appliances we ensure comfortable working place for staff. Outdoor and street lighting provide safe movement and reduce criminal’s activities at night times. However, lack of access to financial capital is the most challenge facing government of South Sudan to establish sustainable electricity supply. Overall country’s security remains a priority if not the extreme requirement to all sustainable economic development.

Electricity is produced by South Sudan Electricity Corporation from thermal sources with diesel being the only available fossil fuel used for electricity generation. There is no strategic reserve fuel stock to facilitate emergency stockpiling. This represents a number of limitations in terms of large investments and restrictions in coverage – currently about 99% of the population, including the government, have access to intermittent electricity supplies.

There were 3 small diesel generation units installed in Juba, Wau and Malakal with maximum capacity of 17 MW, 8 MW and 5 MW respectively. There are also other small scale diesel generation installed in Rumbek, Bor, Yambio and Renk. The current total operational capacity is less than 20 MW with only 17,000 customers connected to 3 localized distribution networks.

Electricity was strictly supplied to industrial or commer­cial users in which there were no transmission grids existed, except that operating in Northern Upper Nile State to only supply electric power to central oilfield facilities.

Due to common breaks of electric power and shortage of diesel, citizens, commercials users, health centers, schools, non-governmental organizations and even government are shifting to electricity based solar panels. It looks like solar energy systems can make relatively good business in Juba and other areas in South Sudan.

Initially and according to the United Nations, there are levels of the quantity of electricity required to meet our daily basic needs.

–     First, Base Level (50-100 kWh):

This electricity is used to supply basic needs such as cooking, heating, lighting, communication, healthcare and education

–     Second,  Productive Level (500 kWh):

 This energy is used to improve productivity for instance, water pumping for irrigation, fertilizer manufacture, mechanized tilling, agricultural processing, cottage industry, and transport fuel

–     Third, West Level (2000 kWh):

Standards of those living in the West required to number of domestic appliances, increased demands for cooling and heating (space and water) and private transportation

–     Unclassified Level (16 kWh):

Standard use in South Sudanese to meet daily basic needs per person. This quantity of electricity is insufficient and substantially less than neighboring countries to meet the basic needs.

In November 21, 2019 President Salva Kiir switched on a 100 MW Power Plant that will supply electricity to Juba and other surrounding areas. The Plant which started construction in 2017 will first supply 33 MW before completion in 2021 by Eritrean Ezra Company Limited. The Power Distribution Grid Project funded by the African Development Bank has as well started together with launching of the Plant. For the first time in the history, South Sudan will have power girds to distribute electricity to its users. Therefore, the access to electricity service has gradually improved and increased from 17,000 to 100,000 customers which is approximately equivalent to 5% but only in Juba city. The two projects, Juba Power Plant and Distribution Grid cost 290 million and 38 million respectively.

Since these projects are still under construction Ezra will continue to operate the Power Plant for the next 17 years. It is too early to start talking about the challenges arise from the two projects before completion. However, fuel shortages, spare parts, manpower and power outages will always remain initial constraints to Juba new Power Plant.

The following are recommendations to be considered for sustainable electricity generation and supply in South Sudan:

–     Incorporate other primary energy sources to the electricity mix and support the government plan to divert some crude oil into electricity generation

–     Identify hydro-power sites to construct dams for electricity generations and water irrigation system

–     Attain and promote the further possibility of obtaining international funding and expertise with which to build the electricity sector and incorporate renewable energy

–     Develop an electricity sector which can be well-integrated with neighboring grids so that the country can become a net electricity exporter

–     Also allow for the import of electricity which serves to facilitate access and the security of electricity supply

If such electricity is produced via renewable (predominately hydro-power) then more quantities of crude oil could be exported, strengthening its position as a net energy exporter and using profits to further develop and integrate other types of infrastructure connections with other countries. In addition, and for all above, any electrification project is harmonized across the various government levels and non-governmental bodies – from the city and municipalities to the counties down to the Payams and Bomas.

Renewable energy resources are plentiful with hydroelectricity providing 24453 GWh, biomass, biogas and waste 9134 GWh collectively, and solar energy capable of supplying electricity up to 4183 TWh.

Who are the People of Yirol West and what are their origins?

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

This is a complementary to article titled: Who are the People called Atuot and where did they come from? As a native of Yirol West I am interesting and eager to share the uniqueness of this people. What are their origins and where did they come from? An American scholar John W. Burton (1952-2013) conducted anthropological field work among the Yirol West people as they narrated to him in the 1970s.

Yirol West people are divided into two main sections: Atuot (Reel) and Apak, but Atuot (Reel) is classified into Luac, Jilek, Akot, Rorkec and Kuek. The Apak are an exception to this classification in a number of ways. Their language can correctly be called 'Jieng'. They are the largest West Yirol people section and the least ethnically homogenous. The texts presented below were representatives of a great many others collected by John W. Burton in response to the question 'where did the Yirol West people first come from?' Those texts were only collected amongst Atuot (Reel) elders and chiefs of Nuon and Adok Nuer. No texts were collected from Jilek, Rorkec and Apak sections in responding to their origins.

An elder chief of the Kuek class of Atuot (Reel), Barnaba Madeo Bol Angui, replied,

The words we hear from the old people when we were children say we were part of Nuer west people. Reel and Nuer where brothers and had a quarrel over the bead called tik yang. Reel could not find the bead once and accused Nuer that his cow had swallowed it. Reel said the cow would have to be killed so the bead could be retrieved. This was done, but they did not find a bead then they fought, but later settled by making an oath. After all Nuer and Reel realized they could not stay together in peace and that Reel decided to leave his place of birth for good. Reel went until he met with people in this place and lived in the cattle camp called Panther, a Jieng term which means the ancient home.  

A second variant, collected among the Luac section, also suggests the initial dispute which led to separation involved cattle,

At one time the father of Nuer and Reel became very old and he told his sons to come early in the morning to his bedside so he could divide his cow and calf between them. They left together but Nuer went off on his own a short while later because he had arranged to meet a woman. Reel came very early the next morning and took the calf, while Nuer appeared much later in the day because he had been with his woman. He found that only the old cow remained. Then the father died and Nuer later accused Reel of stealing the calf. Nuer and Reel did not live to gather and Reel decided to leave his place of birth forever.

A third variant, collected from the Akot section elder told me,

Long ago we were Nuer. One of the sons was killed and the others left Akorlil and crossed through the Ceic Jieng area. When they came to Panther they found Luac and Kuek already there. Luac gave them a daughter to marry and they became in-laws.

The last variant, number of additional texts were collected from chiefs of the Nuong and Adok Nuer, peoples with whom some sections of Yirol West share inland dry-season pastures. They can be summarized as follows:

One time a cow of Nuer swallowed a bead belonging to Atuot. Atuot claimed that since the cow of Nuer had swallowed the bead, it would have to be cut open to bring it out. This was done but the bead was not found. Nuer became very angry with Atuot because the cow was to have given birth but was now dead. He demanded to fight with Atuot, who refused, and suggested instead that he would replace the dead animal with three healthy cows of his own. Nuer refused and once more demanded to fight. Atuot persisted for a settlement but to no avail. Atuot then decided to leave the camp secretly and went to live where Yirol West People now stay.

From the above the texts, it was cleared that Atuot and Reel were the names to a one person and he was the younger son and was not married and eager to have a wife. The texts shown clearly that it was Atuot (Reel) who left the Nuerland. It is obvious that Atuot (Reel) shared common historical account of their migration from Nuerland. However, there is considerable disparity in the more numerous tales which explain the origin of each section and clans within sections. These convey the impression that there was a greater amount of movement across 'tribal boundaries' than has commonly been accepted.

For example, the Apak section includes clans which claim hereditary descent from the ancestor Atuot (Reel), from peoples who migrated into Apak territory from Jieng Bor land on the east bank of the Nile as well as others who initially came from Equatoria areas on the south and from Agar (Rumbek) on the west.

Linguistic authorities classified Atuot (Reel) language as a 'dialect cluster' of the Nuer language, but a little difficulty is realized between western Nuer and Atuot (Reel) dialect. The Atuot (Reel) then was a section of the Nuer who are today separated from them by Jieng of Yirol.

It has come to my attention and from the anthropology study done by John W. Burton that Yirol West people went through many ethnical and linguistic changes but the Atuot (Reel) language still very much sounds like the Nuer language. This clearly proved their uniqueness, they speak Atuot (Reel) and face no difficulties to speak Jieng. Therefore, it’s well accepted that Atuot (Reel) is a clan within Yirol West people who emerged into Jieng of Yirol. The question is now who are Atuot (Reel) within Yirol West people? This question needs more research and if any of Yirol West sections narrated it’s original and last to Atuot (Reel) that could be the Atuot (Reel) within Yirol West people. 

The current Yirol West people area were inhabitants by hunters and blacksmiths who also become part of Yirol West people ancestors. It was not mentioned what was the ethnicity and language of those hunters and blacksmiths. However, it seems that they have come from nearby areas of Jieng of Ciec (Yirol East), Jieng of Aliab (Yirol), Jieng of Bor, Mundari of Tali, Kakwa of Yei and Moro of Mobolo and Jieng of Agar (Rumbek). In this regard, the current Yirol West people is a combination of several ethnicity groups from surrounding.

No question, Yirol West people especially Atuot (Reel) ethnicity has merged into Jieng from long time ago and thus their songs, proverbs and poets are all in Jieng language. Their food, homes and other social activities are the same with other Lakes states Jieng. Atuot (Reel) cultural activities is completely dominated by Jieng whose origin if not all from Nuer west of Nuong and Adok. The administration of Yirol West is then compromised of six sections, Apak, Kuek, Rorkec, Akot, Jilek and Luac, and thus, they should be known as Yirol West People (Jieng Section) of Eastern Lakes State. Your current ethnic status cannot be determine by the origin of your ancestors.

Here are some of the Notable Firsts from Yirol West as follows,

1.       Hon. Isaiah Kulang Mabor, A former southern Executive Council Speaker

2.       Mathew Mading Riak, South Sudan First Pilot

3.       Prof. Ambrose Ahang Beny, Novelist

4.       Prof. Moses Machar, Higher Education Expert and Former Sudan Vice President

5.       Prof. Fraser Tong Kuotwel, Former Under Secretary Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism

6.       Francis Makuei Malual, Computer Science specialist

7.       Lt. Gen. Richard Makur Athorbei, Police Commissioner

8.       Gen. Andrew Makur, Anya-nya Commander and a Diplomat

9.       Hon. David Deng Athorbei, former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning

10.   Prof. Farouq Akasha, Former Principle University of Bahr el Ghzal

11.   Prof. Abraham Matoc, Vice Chancellor Dr. John Garang University of Science and Technology

12.   Prof. Abednego Akok, South Sudan Electoral Commissioner

13.   Judge. Telar Ring, Former Presidential Legal Advisor

14.   Gen. Rin Tueny, Commandant Military Intelligent

15.   Dr. Anyuot Bol Angui, Medical Doctor

16.   Lt. Gen. Dr. Henry Makeny Dhieu, Medical Doctor

17.   Paul Mabor Aliab, SPLA Commander and Veteran

18.   Dr. Mabor Makuei Awur, Medical Doctor

19.   Dr. Nhial Mager, Veterinary Doctor

20.   Dr. David Deng Dongrin, Political Scientist

21.   Henry Yuot Riak, Agriculturist and Crop Scientist

22.   Rev. Titus Telar Beny, Theologian  

23.   Rev. Mark Akec, Theologian and Anthropologist

24.   Dr. Moses Hassan Ayet, Former Minister of Trade and Industry

Prof. John W. Burton spent some time in Yirol West area collecting narratives but were only collected from Atuot (Reel) sections of Kuek, Luac and Akot. The other narratives were collected from Nuer of Nuon and Adok. Narratives of the other two sections of Jilek and Rorkec were missing as well as Apak section narrative. My next focus will be on Jilek, Rorkec and Apak sections of Yirol West People, what are their origins and connection to Atuot (Reel) origins. 

South Sudan First Pilot

South Sudan First Pilot

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

Pilot Mading Riak in a Police Uniform Wau  1992

In 1936, the South Sudanese first Pilot Mading Riak was born in Eastern Lakes State, in a village called Aher. He is number four (4) of seven (7) siblings from Apaak clan of Yirol West. Mading Riak and his youngest brother Yuot Riak were the only siblings sent to school by their father Riak Amojpei. He started his Primary School in Aher and Akot villages respectively where he was baptized by name Mathew, but he rarely used this name. He finished his Intermediate School in Loka by 1953 and in 1954 he joined Rumbek Secondary School. In 1959 he left for Ethiopia through Nasir town in Upper Nile State now Latjur State. In Ethiopia he was trained as an airplane and a jet fighter pilot by Ethiopian Air Force where Americans were his tutors. This course made him not only the first South Sudanese to fly an airplane but the first South Sudanese to fly a jet fighter too.

In 1964 Pilot Mading Riak returned to Khartoum on the invitation of Hassan Abbas, the Sudanese minister of defense. Instead to fly a jet fighter, Mading Riak was given a job at el Gazera scheme in the middle of Sudan to fly agricultural aircraft used for crop duster spray. However, he left the job and immediately returned to Ethiopia but he continued his journey to Congo.

In 1963, South Sudan Liberation Movement known as Anya-nay was formed under Commandership of Joseph Lagu. However, the movement was in lack of weapons that they decided to join the Congolese army as mercenaries in their fight against the Simba (lion) rebels. In order to acquire weapons for the Anya-nya rebels, Mathew Mading Riak and some other young Southern Sudanese men decided to join the Belgium Congo army as mercenaries. Prime Minister Moise Tshombe of Congo appointed Mathew Mading Riak as a Captain in the Congolese army.

In 1965, Mading Riak met with other young South Sudanese men who also came through Congo, Kenya and Uganda seeking refuge in Tanzania. They were living in a refugee camp called Mungulani a few kilometers away from Dar es Salaam the Capital City of Tanzanian. Mading was a person when you first meet him you immediately like him. Mading Riak was popular, lovely and funny among South Sudanese who were living in the camp. He used to say to his South Sudanese friends that he is going to America to fly jets.

During their staying in the camp and in one day, they were asked to see a man who was responsible of refugees ‘affairs in Tanzanian. Fifteen (15) of South Sudanese young men were asked to meet this man. Mading Riak was the representative and their ring leader. Mading was suspicious and said, you know what the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs was here two days last week. May be he has made a deal with the government of Tanzania to have us returned to Khartoum. Other Southern Sudanese in schools in this country have been brought back to Dar es Salaam.

Mading Riak and the rest of South Sudanese young men were standing before the man. The man asked “Why are you in Tanzania? What is wrong with Sudan?” Mading Riak stepped forward and answered, Sir, you know there is war going on in Sudan and that the Christians and Africans from Southern Sudan are being persecuted by the Muslims and Arabs from Northern Sudan. The defending case for fifteen (15) South Sudanese asylum seekers did not went well. The case was rejected by the man who was responsible for refugees’ affairs. He refuted that Muslims are peace-loving people and they are here in this country and they never fight with anyone how come they are different in Sudan?

After the meeting with man responsible of refugee’s affairs, Mading and other South Sudanese were ordered to leave Tanzania immediately without delay. The South Sudanese young men left Tanzania for Uganda, Kenya and Congo. Some of them were lucky to find their way to Europe through Christian missionaries and Mathew Mading Riak went to USA through Zambia.

In USA, after completing a preparatory course at Lincoln University (1965-66), Mathew Mading Riak was offered a place to study history at the Ohio State University in 1967. He worked as a flight instructor for a private aviation company in California until 1973. It was reported that during Vietnam War (1955-1975) in which America did involve in 1965, Pilot Mathew Mading Riak participated in this war as a jet fighter pilot. His plane was shut down and he went missing for 14 days but he was found alive with minor wounds on his leg and returned to America. However, this information need further investigation and confirmation.

In 1973, Pilot Mading Riak returned to the Sudan hoping to join Sudan Airways, but instead he took up instructor assignment with East African Airways in Soroti, Uganda. He finally returned to Sudan in 1974 and joined the High Executive Council (HEC)’s general secretariat as a pilot for the HEC until the dawn of the kokora in June 1983. One upon a time, the HEC Pilot Mading Riak did a very funny thing, without knowledge of the HEC’ general secretariat and Juba airport authority.

He informed his village people to clear a running way for landing and indeed he landed and made a history for the first time a plane landed in Alukluak. It was widely assumed that he was missing and that his plane crashed somewhere in the Southern Sudan bushes.

Pilot Mading Riak was a cattle reputed man, he used to enjoy stay at cattle camp in Juba and that he was the cattle camp-leader for one of the cattle camps around Juba. He used to move with his cattle camp throughout the year from season to season from Nyaieng (Juba Na’ Bari) northern Bari to Jebel Dinka South West of Juba. He was as well one of the founders of Thongpiny area, unfortunately his land disappeared in mess.

In the distribution of the regional government’s assets, the plane was allotted to Upper Nile State, but as a citizen of Yirol, Pilot Mading Riak went to Bahr el Ghazal. In 1986, on the request of Mathew Obur, the president of the Southern Council in Khartoum, Pilot Mading Riak was appointed as a police officer. He had a police officer’s training course and was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel to the council.

Mathew Obur had planned to procure a plane for his administration, but Mading Riak continued and progressed in the police force to the rank of brigadier in 1992. When he was purged by the National Islamic Front (NIF)’s regime, Mading decided to join the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, SPLA in 1997. In the movement he volunteered as a teacher at Mapuordit School.

Mading Riak married to seven (7) wives, he married his first wife in 1973 and the last one was in 1991. He was blessed with children and grandchildren. He died and laid in rest in his village Aluakluak, Yirol West in July 2001.

References

1.      Akuemchol A. Jebel Dinka’ in Juba is not a new name, available at southsudan.wordpress.com, accessed March 6, 2019

2.      Kuyuk A, (2015). South Sudan the Notable Firsts, pp. (367-368). Author House, UK   

3.      Jacob A, (2005). The Story of a Lost Sudanese Boys of Sixties, Paulins Publication, Kenya

Roles and Benefits of Workers Trade’s Union of Petroleum and Mining in South Sudan

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 on Freedom of Assembly and Association, article 25 (1) says: the right to peaceful assembly is recognized and guaranteed; every person shall have the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form or join political parties, associations and trade or professional unions for the protection of his or her interests.

The conventional role of a trade union is to improve the wages and conditions of members under which they are operating. In saying that, the WORKERS’ Trade Union of Petroleum and Mining (WTUPM) under supervision of South Sudan Workers’ Trade Union was formed in October 21, 2017. The potential role of the WTUPM is to protect and promote the rights of the petroleum and mining workers by:

-        Securing social, economic justice and development for all workers

Fight vigorously for standard of living, social security and fair conditions of work for all

-        Facilitating and coordination education and training of all workers so as to further the interest of the working class

-        Conduction, coordination and publishing research into matters affecting workers.    

Through peaceful negotiation, the WTUPM is able to secure workers ‘demands and rights. It is as well mandated to improve communication between employees and management to facilitate the understanding and commitment to union’s objectives.

In normal practice, the main weakness of newly established union such as the WTUPM is the reluctances, making the cooperation a challenge between union and management of oil and mining companies and concern institutions in the country. In such unions, the first reasons click to management’s mind are strikes and demonstrations. However, the pivotal role of the WTUPM is to address the workers conditions in cooperation with the management in such that to delay and prevent destructive strikes and demonstrations to occur.

Positively, members of the WTUPM understand the importance working and stick to laws, rules and objectives of the Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011, Constitution of the WTUPM 2017, Labor Act 2017, Workers Trade Unions and Organizations Act 2013, Petroleum and Mining Act 2012.    

Working with recognized trade union such as the WTUPM can bring many benefits to company and indeed to employers. The benefits range from building trust among the workforce, ensure workplaces are safe to audit non-compliance with labor codes, improve staff retention and from promote equality, provide access to learning and skills, save money and increase productivity.

The government represented by ministry of petroleum, ministry of labor, ministry of mining, ministry of justice and ministry of environment have already expressed their supports cooperation with the union. The Nile Petroleum Cooperation (NILEPET) and indeed all oil operating companies did the same.  

So far, the WTUPM has conducted couple of workshops on awareness raising of the Petroleum and Mining workers on extractive laws and safety regulations in South Sudan. The union is shading more awareness on its objectives, roles and activities in the coming four years.   

Enforcement of all constitutions, laws, rules and acts organizing and governing the WTUPM by the government, oil and mining companies and indeed by the WTUPM is essential. Cooperation between the WTUPM and the management of oil and mining companies operating in the country is significant to improve the workers conditions in terms of wages, loans, training and other related benefits. This reduces mosquito principles against management and helps motivate workers and increase productivity.

South Sudan: The Impacts of Oil Activities on Communities Inside Oil Operation Zones

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

The American Oil Company Chevron discovered the oil in Southern Sudan at the end of 1970s and tried to utilize it. However, in 1984 the company stopped its activities because of the war that stared in 1983 between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). During fighting, the government of Sudan used not to consult with local communities when oil companies want to work in their villages. After the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was signed in 2005, these practices had stopped and communities are consulted when their land is to be used by the oil companies.

After independence in 2011, South Sudan holds more than 75% of the total oil reserves of the previous Sudan. New consortia (operating companies) were formed for oil production and further exploration. South Sudan created Nile Petroleum Corporation (NILEPET) to replace Sudan Petroleum Corporation (SUDAPET) in consortia. With Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) operating in Northern Upper Nile State, Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) and Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) are operating in Ruweng State and Northern Liech State respectively. 

Oil fields facilities were built in the areas of Melut, Pariang and Tharjath. These facilities include, rigs, pipelines, roads, oil base camps (OBC), wells, electrical power lines, power plant, oil manifold gatherings (OGM), airports, etc. All these facilities were built on communities’ lands as a result they were forced to leave their lands and villages to oil companies. Usually, communities who lost their lands and villages relocate to nearby villages. In new residents, they are not allowed to own a land but only build houses or cultivate. Some communities relocate to nearby towns where they experience difficulties in coping with the urban life that includes owning a plot, schools for children in addition to the daily live expenses.

Communities living inside oil operation zones are faced by the impacts and challenges of oil activities such as impact on environment, loss of lands or villages. Since oil exploration still active, many villages might be lost to oil companies as well. Thus, the communities inside oil operation zones should have been compensated and benefited as a result of oil discovery and activities in their lands.

The most challenge of all is the open disposal of the production water and dumping yards. As a result, the community members settling inside operation zones complain of premature births and frequent rate of abortion among the pregnant women, skin rushes, nausea and headaches with no clear reasons. However, these complains need to be confirmed by intensive health investigation in their areas.  

Currently, the main complaints from the communities inside oil operation zones, relate to compensation for the loss of lands that is been used by the oil industry as a result of its expansion. Compensation is only done when new project is been executed such as new well construction and flow line and then compensation is only paid to affected villages. However, there is no compensation for the road constructed, electricity power lines and crude pipelines from oil fields inside South Sudan through Sudan to Port Sudan. Those facilities have the major share in encroachment to community lands and which were built during war.

The affected village reports any oil activity on their piece of land to Oil Company, which in turn reports the issue to a Committee at County level. This committee then follows the process till the amount is paid to the County Committee.

With the expansion of the oil activities, the rate of lands lost to oil companies and environmental impacts have already become a daily debate topic. Furthermore, loss of villages and agriculture lands of the communities are seriously impacting negatively on their livelihood. For instance, primary and secondary schools, hospitals and clinics and water plants projects were executed. However, these projects represent a very small portion of benefits communities should have received since oil exploitation started by 1993.

Based on the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011 and Petroleum Act 2012, mandate the government of South Sudan and all partners involved in the oil business to protect the right of communities whose lands is used by oil companies, labors and the environment.  Constitution gives the right as well of peaceful union of workers and thus, the WORKERS’ Trade Union of Petroleum and Mining was formed in October 2017. The main objective of the union is to talk on behave of workers’ rights of petroleum and orient them to claim their rights based on the constitution.

The impacts of oil activities on communities inside oil operation zones need to be addressed carefully. Relocation plan would have reduce the impacts mainly on human and environment. New villages with full services need to be built to relocate communities who are still residing inside oil operation zones and who lost their lands to outside oil operation zones. Therefore, there should be a clear compensation mechanism by the government at national and county level with cooperation of oil operating companies.

Development projects for oil communities to gain full benefits of oil discovery in their areas should be the top priority of the government of the Republic of South Sudan (ministry of petroleum, ministry of environment and ministry of labor). This contributes into sustainable operation of the oil and sustainable human development in the oil operation areas and indeed in the whole of South Sudan.