Yakani Calls for Responsible Revenue Generation in South Sudan
In a recent address, Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), commended South Sudan’s leadership for resuming oil production and initiating gold mining projects. He emphasized the potential these developments hold for boosting national revenue and addressing pressing socio-economic needs, including civil servants’ salaries and essential social services.
Yakani applauded the government’s swift actions toward strengthening revenue streams, stating, “Both approaches are very good in creating national access to revenue that may meet the country’s needs.” However, he urged the leadership to be mindful of the environmental impacts associated with these extractive industries. Citing past experiences where oil production has harmed the environment, he stressed the importance of integrating environmental considerations into future plans.
In addition to environmental awareness, Yakani called for greater transparency in natural resource management. He highlighted that the country must ensure the public is informed about revenues generated from oil and gold activities. “It is crucial that our engagement in oil production and gold refinery is transparent, allowing the nation to understand the scope of revenues generated,” he noted.
Furthermore, Yakani appealed to the government to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), urging the President to direct his officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Finance to pursue this commitment. He argued that such an initiative would enhance South Sudan’s image on a global scale while promoting local content in the extractive sector, benefitting local businesses and communities.
“Our focus should be on integrating local businesses into the oil and gold supply chains, providing them with opportunities for service provision and skill enhancement. This will not only diversify our economy but ensure that the benefits of our natural resources are felt at the grassroots level,” he explained.
Yakani concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for national revenues to support critical initiatives, such as improving civil servant salaries and funding disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs. He noted that addressing these issues is vital for reducing insecurity and fostering stability in the country.
“Let us prioritize the effective management of our natural resources for the betterment of every South Sudanese,” he urged, hoping for a positive response from the nation’s leadership.
