Civil society urges government to delay Petronas asset disposal

The Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources has asked the transitional government of national unity to delay the disposal of assets owned by Malaysian oil firm Petronas, until the environmental audit report is released.
Charles Judo Onak, Chairperson for Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources (CSCNR)

By Simon Deng

The Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources has asked the transitional government of national unity to delay the disposal of assets owned by Malaysian oil firm Petronas, until the environmental audit report is released.

Gizam Moses, the Program Officer for the Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources said on Tuesday, that oil producing companies have polluted the environment due to uncontrolled oil spill and irresponsible management of oil waste.

“We are urging the government not to allow Petronas to sell their assets, until environmental audit report is out, also Petronas participated in violation of human rights in Unity State between 1997 and 2003,” Moses told The Dawn in an interview.

The environmental audit exercise was commissioned in 2022, by the ministry of petroleum to ascertain the level of environmental pollution.

“We do not want their assets sold, if the report says the environment was polluted then they have to compensate, we want them to be held accountable for the environmental damage caused by their work,” Moses said.

Charles Judo Onak, the Chairperson for Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources, said the pleas from civil society, communities and local authorities have been ignored by both government and oil companies.

“Petronas is one of the biggest shareholders in the South Sudan oil sector accounting for 40 percent share, and is liable for any environmental and social harm caused during over the decades of it’s operation,” Onak said.

In August 2024, Petronas Carigali Nile Limited (PCNL), a subsidiary of Malaysia’s state-owned energy giant Petronas, announced it’s withdrawal from the Republic of South Sudan as part of its long-term investment plan following two years of divestment initiatives in line with its long-term investment strategy as the industry environment changes and the pace of energy transition picks up.

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