Kuol warns against plot to dig Jonglei Canal

<strong>Kuol warns against plot to dig Jonglei Canal</strong>
The Senior Presidential Advisor, Gen Kuol Manyang Juuk. Photo: Courtesy

The Senior Presidential Adviser, Gen Kuol Manyang Juuk, has waded into the debate touching on the controversial Jonglei Canal project proposed by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.

In an exclusive interview with Mading Ngor Akec of Terab Media, the Senior Presidential Advisor warned against the digging of the canal. He stressed that the nation might regret such an action in the future.

Manyang said. “South Sudan needs water instead of digging a canal to drain the water, then taking the people to another place that is not inhabited.”

He stressed that the government should resettle the people living in the Sudd Wetlands to higher grounds until the water subsides. However, he suggested the dredging of the Nile instead of digging the canal.

The proposal

Last year, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, under the leadership of Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, presented a proposal covering the bid to revive the Jonglei Canal to mitigate the negative impacts of floods in the Sudd region.

The project proposes the digging of the canal in Jonglei State to drain water, as well as the dredging of the Nile to boost the flow of water and make the Nile navigable.

According to the proposal, the project would boost infrastructural development, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, industry, river transport, and tourism, with an estimated irrigation area of 1,000,000 to 3,000,000 hectares.

The proposal further claimed that the canal would reduce flooding, expand agriculture and irrigation, supply water to arid areas and curb conflict among communities in Greater Akobo, Fangak, Pibor and Bor.

MORE FROM NATIONAL