By Tereza Jeremiah Chuei
The First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny said oil production will most likely be affected by the devastating continuous flooding in Unity State that has displaced communities.
He stressed that the oil flow to the international market will be affected because the current oil exploration machines are best suited for dry land not wet land.
Dr. Machar was speaking over the weekend at a fundraising event in Juba meant to gather resources to rescue the dire flood situation in Unity State.
“Machines for dry land are needed to help, so I was asking oil companies to adjust to new offshore technology,” he said.
“Unity State flooding is a national issue, it shouldn’t be left to people within alone,” he continued.
Dr. Riek predicted that the devastating flood may go till next year, because Unity State is a low land in the country where all rivers to the west all get through causing flooding.
“Unity state should not be looked at as an oil rich… and therefore, people should manage it alone, it should not be looked at as Unity State issue alone, because this will also affect the oil production which will make the production less, which will later affect the country at large,” Dr. Riek reiterated.
Meanwhile, an Environmental Analyst, Ahidir A. Kwal also said that flood is likely to affect the oil production and that is why the investigation and examination of the area needs to be done.
He however claimed that, sometimes access to this oil production field or areas is restricted.
The world report on climate change reveals that flood has effects on the oil and Colorado in the United States of America has become one of the areas that are being affected.