Paul Adong Bith Arop (1975 – 2022)

 

Engineer, Oil and Gas Expert

By Ater Yuot Riak Amogpai

Eng. Paul Adong was born in Panyang Township of Ruweng Administrative Area on May 17, 1975. Eng. Adong was the third child to Bith Deng Arop. Eng. Adong is survived by his Mother, Nyibol Minyiel Bol Achuil. Eng. Paul Adong’s Father, Bith Deng Arop, had a second wife, Alek Nyok Deng. No children between them.

Eng. Paul briefly looked after his family cattle at around Lake Jaw County in the northern part of Ruweng Administrative Area. In the face of interminable raids and destruction of his village and the surrounding villages in the early 1980s by Arab militia, then known as Murahaleen, there was en mass migrations of Ruweng communities to northern Sudan, especially Khartoum. It is against this backdrop that Eng. Adong and his family left for northern Sudan in 1984.  The family first settled in El-kenana in today’s White Nile State where young Adong started his elementary education in 1986. The family would later move to Khartoum where he continued his education at Comboni College, Khartoum Bahri.

Eng. Adong sat and excelled in his Sudan Primary Education Certificate examinations at Comboni College-Khartoum. He subsequently got a scholarship to Comboni Secondary School although he later moved to St. Augustin where he would subsequently join the prestigious St. Augustin Secondary School, Khartoum. He sat for his Sudan Secondary Education Certificate examination in 1997 and emerged as one of the top performers in the country. He briefly joined Engineering School of the University of Juba in Khartoum where he was the top of his class in the first two years that he spent at the University of Juba. While he was still an engineering student at the University of Juba, he received a generous scholarship to the University of Technology PETRONAS (UTP) in Malaysia to study Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and graduated in 2002. After working for six years in Malaysia and Oman until 2009, Eng. Adong, got a scholarship to study for his Master of Science in Oil & Gas Management at the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom where he graduated in 2010.

During his postgraduate studies in the UK, Eng. Adong’s yearned to return home to serve his country. He was well known for being ambitious, patriotic, and obsessed with all things about oil and gas. He dreamed of transforming oil and gas industry and seeing all South Sudanese in the top rank at different levels in the industry. This ambition saw him return home immediately.

Eng. Adong became a household name in South Sudan following his appointment as the Managing Director of South Sudan’s national oil and gas corporation, the Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet). In this position, Eng. Adong sought to materialize his ambition of using his engineering skills to produce commodities and ensure that South Sudanese engineers were employed and running the oil and gas industry. To translate this idea into practical programs, Eng. Adong worked in close coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum, relevant institutions of government and foreign partners. This could come to pass if he embarked on capacity development of South Sudanese nationals in all segments of oil and gas industry. For instance, while serving as the Vice President of Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) in 2016, he facilitated the contracting of one of the leading international oil & gas companies, Schlumberger, to train and develop capacities of local oil and gas experts, as well as to identify training needs and gaps of the South Sudanese oil and gas professionals. 

The following snapshot provides the chronology of Eng. Adong’s professional career.

·       2016- 2022: CEO of Adong Petroleum Co. Ltd: This was his own company

·       2017-2022: Technical Advisor in the Ministry of Petroleum

·       2016- 2017: Vice President of Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) 

·       2012- 2015: Managing Director of Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet)

·       2009-2012: Senior consultant for oil and gas business development for JOSPONG Group of companies in charge of construction of oil facilities in Western Region of Ghana

·       2006-2007: Artificial Lift-Engineering Specialist in Oman with Schlumberger Oilfield Services 

·       2004- 2006: General Field Engineer for AL and Sales in Schlumberger for Blocks 1, 2 & 4 GNPOC Sudan

·       2004-2005:  Location Manager for Paloch and Adar in Schlumberger 

·       2003- 2004:  Senior Field Engineer for AL system in Schlumberger for Blocks 1, 2 &4 and 3 & 7 in the Sudan-GNPOC and PDOC

·       2002-2003: Operation Engineer for offshore platform in South China Sea- PETRONAS, Malaysia.

As shown in the above snapshot, Eng. Paul Adong served in several positions in the oil and gas industry in the Sudan, South Sudan, Malaysia, Oman, and Ghana. After his last position as the Vice President of Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) which he led between 2016 and 2017, Eng. Adong established his own company, the Adong Petroleum Co. Ltd in 2016, under which he assumed the position of being both the CEO and Chairperson of the company, until his last moments.

From his time as a student at the University of Juba and as a professional engineer, Eng. Paul Adong was a member of the following professional and political affiliations:

·       University of Juba Students’ Association (UJSA)

·       South Sudanese Engineering Society (SSES)

·       South Sudanese Engineering Council (SSEC)

·       South Sudanese Engineering and Architectural Society (SSEAS)

·       African National Front (ANF)

·       Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)

·       University of Juba’s Mathematics Association (UJMA).

Late Eng. Paul Adong Bith Deng was a well-known family man. He deeply cared about his family and the larger society. He was married to Sarah Kuol Tong, from Abyei and with whom he has sons, namely Athiei (6 years old) and Deng (2 years old). Eng. Paul Adong died in Dubai on 18th June, 2022 allegedly after a short illness and, was laid to rest at hometown in Ruweng in June 30^th, 2022.

The Author Ater Yuot R. Amogpai can be reached through Email: ater.amogpai@gmail.com.

I was Untrained Red Army and Lost Boy.

 

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

Mr. Henry Yuot Riak and Mrs. Alak Maguen Acinbai have their first born in Khartoum Sudan in January 15, 1973. A new born was named Ater Henry Yuot and I am proud to my humble parents. My late father sat for the Sudan Secondary School Certificate in 1972 and he was preparing to join university, however, he decided to take care of his new family affairs. In the next year he got a job as Agricultural Assistant in Agricultural Research’s Scheme in Sennar Town, center of Sudan. By 1976, he got a job with the World Bank, as a First Agricultural Assistant, Seeds Program, to run a Project Development Unit (PDU) in Yei, a small Town in the Central Equtaoria, Southern Sudan. However, in 1980, he managed to join the University of Juba, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, specializing in Crop Sciences. In the same year I started my Primary education in Buluk Primary School in Juba.  

In 1983, the Southern Sudan executive and autonomous government was dissolved and the Southern Sudan regional government divided into three regional governments namely: Baher el Ghazal, Upper Nile and Equatoria region in a Republican decree announced by Marshal. Jaafar Mohammed Nimiri the former President of the Republic of the Sudan. As a political result, the family decided and moved to Wau town, the Capital of Baher el Ghazal region.

Between 1983 and 1986, Wau was experiencing ethnic fights between the Dinka  and Jurchol at one side against the combination of different ethnic group known as Fertit, despite that, I continued my study in Wau Buluk Primary School up to 1986. The Arabs in Khartoum armed the Fertit to fight the Dinka and Jurchol, because of their support to the liberation of South Sudan from Arabs.  The Fertit were in control of areas around Sudan’s Army garrison in Wau Town while the Dinka and Jurcol were in control of areas around the Police headquarters in Wau Town. The security situation was terrible and I witnessed many Dinka people who were continuously being targeted as they crossed to Fertit areas or performing their daily activities and duties in Wau town.

In August 1986, my mother decided and moved us into liberated areas under control of the SPLA/M. In the family journey we were together with my siblings: two brothers Amoch and Kon and sister Anyiel. We spent a month crossing a journey and roads distances from Wau to Yirol Area which I remember very well, Yirol area was under Cdr. Marial Chanuong. Shortly after our arrival at Yirol I became a Red Army Candidate to be in Agany preparation Camp and the first time I touched to use Ak – 47 prior to being sent to Bilpam Military Training Center but I was the Youngest (child) in the training center. However, the SPLA had policy of not recruiting children into the army, instead I was prepared to be sent to Itang refugee Camp in Western Ethiopia until I reached 18 years. However, my mother decided again and moved us into a cattle camp in Aliab Toc which is part of the Sudd Swamp area and, this was how I escaped and missed out from being a “Lost Boy”.

In the cattle camp, I learnt how to take care of cattle, how to milk a cow, collect cattle dung and dry it up. The cattle dung is used as charcoal for cooking and to warm bodies and its ash is used as a toothpaste too. Cattle urine is used to wash hands, faces, and dishes (traditional dishes). I have practiced all these activities. My mother also guided us to Juba through Tali Town, nonetheless, The Mundari tribe used to target Dinka between Yirol and Juba roads. Luckily, after seven (7) days, we reached Juba safely in December 20, 1987.  

In January 20, 1988 we landed in Khartoum International Airport, the family was reunited and I continued my education. In October, 2001, I graduated with the Bachelor of Science of Technology in Electrical Engineering, Sudan University of Science and Technology. During my study, I used to participate in community and university different activities. My Community activities included social, religion, cultural and sometimes political forums which Southern Sudanese students in the Sudanese universities practiced as well.

At those decades, the National Islamic Front (NIF) government was anti Southern Sudanese activities and, therefore, all southern Sudanese who’s were studying or working in different government levels were continually exposed to security screenings and harassments. As a security mistreatment results, many lost their jobs, lives, and quitted schools. This has further resulted in a mass refuge of the southern Sudanese into neighboring countries in such Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Egypt etc.

In April, 2002, I left Sudan for Egypt and actively participated in the community and the SPLM activities in the Arab Republic of Egypt as I worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a volunteer (Interpreter) then I moved to Finland by March 2004 for further studies.

Upon my arrival in Finland, I met with the Sudanese who were exceptionally preparing to establish the SPLM chapter in Finland. In May, 2004, the SPLM chapter was established in Finland. I am the SPLA/M member since my joining history on May 1983 and, I was a founding member of the SPLM chapter in Finland. In July 21, 2005, the chapter organized a peace signing festival which was attended by the majority of the Sudanese in Finland. In July 30, 2005, a tragedy happened, Dr. John Garang de Mabior and was killed in a Helicopter crash on the border of South Sudanese and Uganda. In September 2005, I decided to go back to study. Subsequently, I successfully completed Master and Doctorate of Science of Technology in Electrical Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology and Aalto University in 2007 and 2011 respectively.

In December 21, 2011, I returned to South Sudan, however, I focused on my engineering career. In January 2012, I first joined the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Juba and in November 1^st, 2012, I joined the South Sudan Oil Industry. I did not pull apart the two careers, academia and the industry, however, I combined teaching engineering at university and serving production of oil in Dar Petroleum Operating Company. Nevertheless, I remain a committed SPLM technocrat who is ready to serve to my capacity.

Just to mention few names among the founders’ members of the SPLM chapter in Finland who are now residing in the Republic of South Sudan:

1.       Dr. Simon Nhial Monykuany, Medical Doctor, Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), deceased in 2014, Leer County, Unity State

2.       Professor. Dr. Kuel Jok, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. John Garang University of Science and Technology

3.       Professor. Dr. Owen Ondormo, Institute of Peace, Diplomacy and Security Studies, University of Juba

4.       Mr. Ukech Kidi Ujure, Lecturer, School of Social Sciences and Economics, University of Juba

5.       Dr. Etin Concordo, Director General, Ministry of Health, Eastern Equatoria

6.       Mr. Thomas Amudeng, Director General for Training, Ministry of Finance and Economics Planning

7.       Mr. Wol Mamer, Director of Account, Ministry of Finance and Economics Planning

8.       Abraham Chol Mathiang, Self-Employee

9.       Mr. Alex, Self-Employee

10.   Mr. Majok Matur, the last Chairperson of the SPLM chapter in Finland

11.   Capt. Peter Rual, Ministry of Defense

12.   Mr. Kur Madit, Lawyer

About the Author

Ater Yuot R. Amogpai is a South Sudanese Oil & Gas Industry Professional and Secretary General of the Workers Trade Union of Petroleum and Mining in South Sudan. Ater holds a Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, Finland. Furthermore, he is a member of the Academic Staff University of Juba, School of Engineering. Email: ater.amogpai@gmail.com.

 

Mission Complicated: The Unified Human Resource Policy Manual (UHRPM 2020) between Foreign Partners (FPs) and the Ministry of Petroleum in South Sudan

 

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

In December 2020, the Ministry of Petroleum (MoP) launched the Unified Human Resource Policy Manual (UHRPM 2020) to replace outdated unfair Sudan Unified Human Resource Policy Manual (UHRPM 2008). In January 2021, the MoP issued directives to immediately implement the policy. Instead, the management of Joint Operating Companies (JOCs) namely, Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC), Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) ignored the directives of the MoP. The partners mainly, Chinese and Malaysians, have concerns about the UHRPM 2020.

Anchored on South Sudan Labor Law, the UHRPM 2020 calls for bridging a wide and unacceptable remuneration gap between international and national workers. The gap runs in tens of thousands of dollars. It also calls for the reduction of expenditure of air tickets, accommodation, visas, and group life insurance for expatriates and secondees to reduce the operation cost. It further stated that the unification of salary structure among the JOCs shall be reviewed.

 

From 2018 to 2019, under the UHRPM 2008 the national workers in the JOCs started industrial actions demanding suspended and deleted allowances, loans and all other privileges. For instance, the Management Committee (MC) in DPOC reached an agreement with national workers but was later dishonored and trashed allegedly by the Foreign Partners (FPs). The same happened with national workers in the other two JOCs. This was what made the MoP act by launching the UHRPM 2020 with the intent to stabilize the oil sector.

Throughout the year 2021, the national’s workers in the oil sector have battled with JOCs over the full implementation of the UHRPM 2020. The national workers laid down their tools both at the headquarters in Juba and at the oil fields several times. They have been demanding for the harmonization of salary structure fair to both national and international workers, allowances, loans, social insurance fund among others.

On February 21, 2022, the MoP and the partner’s oil companies reached a deal in a Press Conference to fully implement the UHRPM 2020. As a result, the MoP sent directives to all JOCs to implement the UHRPM 2020 with immediate effect. Dishonorably, the (FPs) namely, China National Petroleum Company (CNPC), Malaysia PETRONAS, China SINOPEC and Tri-Ocean produced a provocative letter which conditioned the implementation of the signed agreement to a set of five (5) conditions.  Among them was the formation of a joint committee constituted by members of FPs and MoP to review and amend the UHRPM 2020 (which is a law) not later than six (6) months. Formation of another joint committee to restore their “economic rights” to their previous level had reforms (UHRPM 2020) not taken place among other conditions. In response to the MoP directive that was supposed to be the final, the three JOCs sought another approval from their respective country managers, who signed the agreement with MoP, to go ahead with implementation of the policy per their previous agreement. The FPs responded to three JOCs requests to wait for the further directives since discussion is going on between MoP and FPs. This is all after they have already declared it on the National Television (SSBC) that they reached an agreement with the MoP.

In their letter received by the MoP March 2, 2022, the FPs requested for the conditioned the implementation of the UHRPLM 2020 to the following conditions:

1)      Approval of all existing and future applications including renewal of FPs secondees assigned to JOCs

2)      Reinstatement of FPs Manpower Tariff payment which has been suspended in October 2021 pursuant to the existing Manpower Tariff Rate

3)      Continuation and acknowledgement of long standing practices since the establishment of the JOCs in 2012 relating to the FPs secondees benefits to JOCs, including the flight tickets, rotational leaves and accommodations

4)      Continuation and acknowledgment of the FPs existing Manpower Tariff Rate

5)      Restoration of the FPs economics rights and benefits as per Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) and the Transitional Agreement (TA) 

Intentionally, the FPs have violated the resolutions of the Council of Ministers No: 08/2021 held on Friday, June 18, 2021 and several ministerial orders submitted by the MoP. The last order issued was No: 02/2022. Further, the FPs continue undermining the sovereignty of the country by dishonoring the agreement they reached in a Press Conference with the MoP on February 21, 2022. However, after this meeting, the FPs secretly sent letters instructing JOCs not to start implementation. It was a deception action by the FPs.

This has desperately angered the national workers in the oil sector. Therefore, the national workers are requesting the FPs to immediately implement the resolutions of the Council of Ministers together with the last issued ministerial order and the agreement they reached with the MoP. The national workers have been without salaries since July 2021. They are patiently depending on the Optional Individual Loan (OIL). The National workers are looking forward to the full implementation of the UHRPM 2020 and harmonization of the wide gap salary structure between national and foreign staff that was approved by Council of Ministers Resolutions’ and the country leadership.

How to Limit Global Average Temperature at 1.5 °C – Case South Sudan

 

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

 

Human activities are responsible for causing approximately 1.0 °C of global warming. Range of 0.8°C to 1.2°C global warming is projected to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2050 if it continues to increase at the current rate of 0.2°C per decade. At the moment, global mean temperature is around 1.08 ±0.13 °C above the 1850 -1900 pre-industrial average.  

Atmospheric concentrations of the major greenhouse gases (GHG), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), continued to increase up to now. The rise in these gases leads to warming of the atmosphere, ocean and land. Warming of the ocean leads in turn to rising sea levels, which is added to by the melting of ice in response to increasing atmospheric temperatures. On land, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, including species loss and extinction.

The sources of CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions can be either natural or human. Natural sources include respiration, decomposition of plants, and ocean release. Human sources come from cement production, deforestation, burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), landfills, and gricultural activities. In addition to, coal mining, stationary and mobile combustion, wastewater treatment, land use, industrial activities, and solid waste.

The main sectors contributing GHG emissions in the globe are transportation, electricity, industry, commercial and residential, agriculture, land use and forestry. However, developed countries typically have the highest GHG emissions into the atmospheric, while some developing countries lead in the growth rate of GHG emissions. These uneven contributions to the climate crisis are at the core of the challenges the world community faces in finding effective and equitable solutions to global warming. GHG emissions are normally resulting from the combustion of coal, natural gas, oil, and other fuels, including industrial waste and non-renewable municipal waste. The United States of America, Russia, China, India, and the United Kingdom (UK) are the leading countries in the world for emitting GHG into the atmosphere.

South Sudan GHG emissions is the lowest globally and dominated by land use, forestry and agriculture. GHG emissions from these sectors are mainly driven by reliance on wood fuel by the majority of the population coupled with the increasing demand for agricultural lands and urban development. In urban areas including Juba, charcoal is the most used energy source for cooking. Fuel wood and charcoal are used for cooking and lighting and has led to a catastrophic loss of forest around big cities, Juba, Malakal and Wau. In the energy sector, despite only 5% of the population having access to the electricity, energy emissions are mainly from electric power generation followed by transportation and crude oil production.

Any period of time before the start of the industrial revolution could be a reference as the temperature decreases as we go back in time. To do so, we change our diets to reduce meat consumption, reducing food waste, driving less and using more public transportation, using more efficient appliances and installing better insulation systems to depend less on air conditioning in hot regions and heating in cold regions. In recognition of this, the overwhelming majority of countries around the world adopted the Paris Agreement in December 2015, the central aim of which includes pursuing efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C. The same commitment affirmed by the COP26 in Glasgow, UK.  

Benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5°C can be summarized as follows:

-      Reduction risks to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and ecosystems, and their functions and services to humans

-      Reduction the number of people susceptible to poverty by up to several hundred million by 2050

-      Resultant in smaller net reductions in yields of maize, rice, wheat, and potentially other cereal crops, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America, and in the CO₂-dependent nutritional quality of rice and wheat.

Healing the planet starts in your garage, in your kitchen, and at your dining room table. The goal is simple. CO2 and other GHG are the climate’s worst enemies. They are released when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy—the energy we use to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. By using less of which, we can curb our own contribution to climate change while also saving money. Here are some effective ways each one of us can make a difference:

-      Power your home with renewable energy

-      Invest in energy-efficient appliances

-      Reduce water waste

-      Eat the food you buy and make less of it meat

-      Buy better bulbs (LEDs)

-      Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle (Electric Cars)

-      Rethink planes, trains, and automobiles

 

Contribution to global warming can be roughly defined as the economic development and prosperity of the nations. Developing countries and emerging economies are in rapid growth to global warming while, developed nations couldn’t yet determine the most effective ways to limit global warming at 1.5°C.

South Sudan as one of the least developed countries is vulnerable to global warming.  Nevertheless, it has developed mechanisms to regulate the exploitation of natural resources and land use to reduce environmental degradation. Unfortunately, deforestation and forest degradation areas around big cities are still being observed at an exponential rate.  

The responsibility is huge for the G7 and G20 to take us back to the pre – industrial period 1850 – 1900 if they can. There is a very great doubt that the G7 and G20 would agree on a mechanism on how to limit global warming at 1.5°C. As a result, emerging economies countries continue to increase in numbers – temperature continues to increase and climate crisis causes our planet to die gradually. 

 

Email: ater.amogpai@gmail.com

Oil Industry in South Sudan Will Not Be the Same Again

 

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

 

Oil discovery can present a bright future while at the same time seriously harm the prosperity of the country. Mismanagement of oil revenues generates conflicts, poverty, environmental impact, political instability and puts the security and economy of the country at risk. Such a phenomenon is accompanied by a lack of rule of law, absence of transparency and accountability, corruption, and kleptocracy. This in turn resulted in ignorance of environmental measures, human resource policy manuals, etc. In such a manner, less attention is paid to education, training, health, infrastructure, and human welfare. 

At present, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), PETRONAS Malaysia, India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), SINOPEC (China), and Tri-Ocean Energy (Egypt) are the major oil producers in South Sudan. NILEPET is the only state-owned company represented in the oil industry. Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC), Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), and Sudd Operating Company (SPOC) are the consortia of those companies. The biggest share goes to CNPC followed by PETRONAS and ONGC. However, this share differs from one company to another, for instance, in DPOC CNPC share stands at (41%), PETRONAS (40%), NILEPET (8%), SINOPEC (6%), and Tri-Ocean Energy (5%).

Manpower in the oil industry is categorized into two: expatriates (foreigners) and nationals. South Sudanese nationals make up the majority of the employees, yet the expatriates remain the dominant workforce. This was due to little capacity that prevented the nationals from participating efficiently. Simply, low investment in training has caused the low capacity of the South Sudanese employees in the oil industry. Poor training was made intentionally to show South Sudanese employees were incompetent and that the expatriates will continue discharging all technical and crucial duties. As a result, South Sudanese remained the least paid employees in all three joint operating companies namely, DPOC, GPOC, and SPOC.

The oil production and operation in South Sudan is governed by the Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) signed in 2012 and extended in 2018 up to 2027. Then, the agreement should address issues of financial transactions and transparency, environment, local content, and human resource policy manual (HRPM). There have been numerous strikes in the oil fields in Upper Nile State, Unity State and in Juba, either by oil producing communities or the national workers. Oil communities are demanding development projects in terms of schools, health centers, clean water, roads, electricity, and employment opportunities for oil communities' persons. And to address environmental impacts to humans, land, and animals. National workers are requesting oil companies to implement an updated HRPM that gives them their rights in terms of equal payments, allowances, loans, proper training, and social insurance funds among others. Unfortunately, all these demands have never come true.

In December 2020, the Ministry of Petroleum (MoP) launched the HRPM 2020 to replace that of Sudan. There are other three documents: Environment Audit, Local Content, and Financial Recovery Audit. Altogether, the documents address issues of oil communities' development projects and national workers' grievances. Even national companies interested in bidding with oil companies will be priorities as well. In January 2021, the MoP issued directives to immediately implement the new four documents. Instead, the management of DPOC, GPOC, and SPOC resisted implementing the directives. The partners probably, Chinese and Malaysians, have concerns about the implementation of the new HRPM 2020 and the other related documents.

In March 2021, delay in the response to the MoP directives triggered the national worker in DPOC to go for a strike. They were demanding better pay and the implementation of a new human resource policy. They also want an agreed salary structure, allowances, loans, social insurance fund, and personal income tax. In July 2021, the Council of Ministers approved a new HRPM tabled by the Minister of Petroleum Hon. Pout Kang Chol. The other three documents Environment Audit, Local Content, and Financial Recovery Audit are approved as well. Thus, the government has resolved that national employees in the oil sector should be paid equally with their international colleagues. In addition to the rest of three documents, which address the environmental impacts in oil-producing areas, oil communities’ development projects and national companies working in the oil industry.

On July 15, 2021, the MoP ordered all the oil operating companies to implement the new HRPM 2020 and local content documents. This marked the beginning of the positive of a real reform in the oil industry in South Sudan. Now, the HRPM 2022 has become a law, and the Sudan HRPM 2008 is canceled. The reform will not occur with a lack of rule of law, absence of transparency and accountability in the industry. The implementation of the four documents will guarantee the safe management of the oil revenues and that the public funds are correctly directed to execute the development projects. Now, the dream will come true.

 

The first phase of the reform has been achieved by making the four documents, HRPM 2020, Environment Audit, Financial Recovery Audit, and the Local Content mandated to oil operating companies. The second phase is the implementation of these documents which has already started by the HRPM 2020 and the Local Content Regulations.

All these achievements were not possible without the tireless support of able Hon. Pout Kang Chol the minister of petroleum. The government of the Republic of South Sudan chaired by the Gen, Salva Kiir Mayardit is highly appreciated for the recognition of the long demands by the national oil workers to reform the industry.

 

Challenges and solutions to electricity service in Juba city

 

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

Juba with a population of about 500,000 hundred thousand is facing challenges to build a sustainable and reliable electricity service. The previously installed capacity of electric power was only 12 MW which was characterized by poor infrastructures, frequent power breaks, lack of spare parts, and lack of technical persons. However, this amount (12 MW) of electric power must be increased to at least 80 MW to match the increasing demand for electricity in Juba.

On November 21, 2019, a breakthrough occurred when a 100 MW Juba Diesel Power Plant launched by the President of the Republic Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit will supply electricity to Juba and other surrounding areas. The Plant which started its construction at the Gondokoro area of the eastern Nile in 2017 will first supply 33 MW before completion in 2021 by Eritrean Ezra Construction and Development Group Company.

For the first time since Independence in July 2011, Juba will have power girds to distribute electricity to customers. Juba Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) and Ezra as well as the South Sudan Electricity Corporation (SSEC) collectively operating Juba's new grid. Therefore, access to electricity service has gradually improved and increased to 5%. The two projects, Juba Power Plant and Distribution Grid cost more than 300 million. Since the Juba Power Plant project still under construction Ezra will continue to operate it for the next 17 years starting from November 2019.

 

However, in May 2020 electricity service started facing problems to supply power to street lights in Juba city. It has become clear that the JEDCO informed Juba City Council to pay the bill for the street lights. The action was not immediately made as the discussion took long on who should pay the bill. In January 2021, Ezra Construction and Development Group has planned to shut down Power Plant if the amount of USD 3 million does not transfer to their account by the Central Bank. Again, Ezra repeated the same strategy in April 2021.

According to Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Ezra to sell generated power to JEDCO, and in turn, JEDCO sells electricity to customers in South Sudanese Pound (SSP). To sustain plant operation, the SSP collected by JEDCO should be converted to USD through the Central Bank. Unfortunately, the implementation of the agreement did not go well between Ezra, the ministry of finance, and the Central Bank.

Several hydropower sites along the way from Nimule to Juba have been identified to generate sustainable and reliable electricity services. To mention some, Fula can generate more than 1000 MW, Bedden can generate more than 700 MW and Lekki can generate more than 400 MW. To help resolve electricity poverty in Juba, the Juba barrage hydropower site about 5 km South of Juba city can generate 120 MW, which is quite enough to gradually phase out the unsustainable thermal electricity generation.

120 MW hydropower power plant can roughly cost USD 250 compared to USD 300 estimated cost to build Ezra 100 MW Diesel Power Plant. Running water and turbine will replace costly diesel fuel and expensive diesel engines respectively. The benefits of hydropower generation against thermal (diesel) generation are clear and easy to understand. They include the lowest operation and maintenance cost, flood control, irrigation, water supply, fish production, and generate power directly to the grid.

It would be a very interesting decision to place electricity service at the same level with roads network in the country. The proposed Juba hydropower plant project will not come true unless a budget is allocated to execute it. I believe it's possible, let's light up South Sudan with our own money and expertise. However, I wonder, how and where to get the fund?

E-mail: ater.amogpai@gmail.com

Sharing the Nile Waters: Will Egypt Oppose Dams Projects in South Sudan?

By Ater Yuot R. Amogpai

Four Nile water agreements were signed between Britain, Italy, and France starting from 1891 to 1925 on how to deal with Nile water affairs. Finally, Britain managed to exclude the rest of the two colonial powers from east Africa and Nile water affairs.

The first Nile water agreement involved Egypt as the Nile basin country signed in 1929. In this agreement, the annual Nile water flow of 84 billion cubic meters divided between Egypt 48 billion cubic meters and Sudan 4 billion cubic meters.

In 1959 Agreement signed between Egypt and Sudan recalculated the 1929 agreement on Nile water. For instance, 55.5 billion cubic meters for Egypt and 18.5 billion cubic meters to Sudan. The agreement allowed Egypt to build the High Aswan Dam and Sudan to build Roseires Dam.

The Aswan Dam started in 1960 and finished in 1971 while, Roseires Dam began its construction in 1961 and completed by 1966. The agreements, 1929 and 1959, complicated the usage of the Nile water by riparian states. However, most of the nation's states were not independent then; therefore, they are not bound by these agreements after independence.

In 1999, the Nile Basin Initiative was established to include ten (10) countries, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt Eritrea as an observer. This initiative's main objective is "to achieve sustainable socio-economic development through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources."

Since the 1959 agreement, Egypt keeps trying to increase its share from Nile water through Sudan. After Addis Ababa Agreement signed between the Southern Sudan Liberation Movement and the government of Sudan in March 1972, Egypt managed to convince Sudan's government to start Nile water projects in the current state of South Sudan.

In 1976, the Jonglei Canal project initiated to decrease the White Nile's loss while it passes through the Sudd swamps in the south of Sudan. The length of the Canal was 360 km and could secure an annual flow of water of around 4.7 billion cubic meters to Egypt. Sudd is Africa's largest wetland and one of the most extensive tropical wetlands in the world. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identified the Sudd as a globally key, unrepresented ecological system.

In 1983, one of the reasons why the SPLA/M revolted was the Jonglei Canal project. The founder of the SPLA/M, Dr. John Garnag de Mabior, did his doctoral thesis titled "Identifying, selecting, and implementing rural development strategies for socio-economic development in the Jonglei Projects Area, Southern, Region, Sudan" in 1981. One of his most definite recommendations in this project was that it could be an environmental disaster. 

By 1984, the Canal's digging had stopped when fighting erupted between the SPLA/M and Sudan's government. The construction of the Jonglei Canal started in 1978, and only 10 km remains to finish. And this ended Egyptian efforts in the 20th century to increase its share of Nile water from South Sudan.

The Canal project's main objective was not only to decrease the loss of water in the Sudd but also to collect the water from Nile tributaries and directed into the Canal towards Egypt. The result is the loss of the Sudd conservation site and the people's lives in the area.

In 2011, South Sudan got its independence and became a sovereign country and a member of the Nile basin countries. Thus, Egypt would reconsider its role to support its previous projects to increase its water share. Egypt is badly planning to expand its water share through the Jonglei Canal and cleaning the Nile tributaries basins projects in South Sudan. 

Egypt was one of the countries to quickly recognize the state of South Sudan and immediately established diplomatic ties. Further, Egypt offered diesel generators to the government of southern Sudan before independence to start the construction of power plants throughout the country. Also, Egypt gives scholarships for South Sudanese students at her universities every year. And other several supports in the form of training for government officials, medical aids, humanitarian aid, and others. Al these gifts are win to win cooperation between Egypt and South Sudan, probably for the exchange of Nile water projects.

Currently, South Sudan is busy with its internal issues, and the Jonglei Canal project is not one of a country's priorities. Electricity projects will start anytime from now by initiating dams' projects, mainly in Nimule and elsewhere. South Sudan will expect Egypt not to oppose the construction of dams' projects in the country.