By William Madouk
New Undersecretary in the Ministry of Mining, Dr. Matiok Santio Akuei has unveiled a detailed plan to promote sustainable mining practices that are environmentally friendly and focus on the rehabilitation of mining areas.
In his speech during a welcoming ceremony, Dr. Matiok stated that while South Sudan is endowed with mineral resources, the country does not fully benefit economically because the resources remain largely untapped.
“South Sudan is endowed with vast mineral resources, which include gold, copper, zinc, lead, rare earth, uranium, manganese, iron, diamond, and precious minerals,” he said.
“However, the potential of this sector remains lightly untapped. And that is the major challenge to our country and the economy of the Republic of South Sudan,” he added.
The undersecretary noted that he would support environmentally friendly mining practices.
“Promoting a mining practice, which minimizes the effects of our ecosystem and prioritizes the rehabilitation of mining areas,” he said.
Dr. Matiok stated that this can be accomplished by working closely with mining companies to ensure compliance with environmental rules.
“I will ensure community engagement and a local benefit strategy by ensuring mining uplift the entire communities in the Republic of South Sudan,” he stressed.
“I will work toward attracting responsible investment by actively engaging with the potential investors and showcasing the vast mineral wealth of our nation,” Mr. Matiok continued.
Matiok stated that he would improve openness and good governance by eradicating corruption and ensuring that mining approvals benefit all South Sudanese.
“Let us work together to build a better South Sudan as we lay the foundation for a bright future of South Sudan,” he concluded.
Martina Gama Abucha, the Minister of Mining, lauded the outgoing undersecretary and advised Dr. Matiok to avoid superfluous meetings, particularly with individuals in need of financial assistance.
“There’s a lot of work for him to do. His tasks include administration. But there’s one thing I might say this, incoming Under-Secretary, you’re actually the Under-Secretary now, we should not be bogged down with unnecessary meetings,” he explained.
“So, if they come to you, Under-Secretary, and say they want help. Make it extremely explicit, because our folks will assume you are new, so, they’ll just send you paperwork. No, we do not have relief here,” he added.
Mr. Abucha urged the staff at the Ministry of Mining to give the incoming undersecretary all the assistance he requires.
Outgoing undersecretary, Dr Comas Pitia appreciated the ministry for hard work, adding that the achievement is the ministry having land as well as constructing an observatory seismologic centre in Rajaf.
He added that there will be a South Sudan geological survey authority, which absorb some graduates. He hinted at the formation of the South Sudan Mining Company Corporation.
Cosmas explained the authority would be like that of Nilepet and would absorb geoscientist graduates.
Meanwhile, the mining authority will be in charge of the inspectors, inspecting firms operating in the mining sector.
“People are saying that this ministry is not contributing to the economy. Yes, but soon the efforts are there, and soon we will see how much the ministry will be contributing,” he added.