Thousands of the internally displaced people living in a camp in Bentiu in Unity State, on Monday took to the streets to demand the dredging of the Naam River.

According to the protestors, flooding has affected their lives and that of their livestock, and dredging the river will mitigate the inundation.

Nyajuoy Kuany Latjor, one of the protesters told Radio Tamazuj Monday, that leadership of the country should consider their rights as citizens on the ground and that river dredging will help alleviate the poor health conductions caused by the floods.

“In Unity State, people have died due to flooding and nobody responds to address our problems,” she said. “The leaders from the national government in Juba have to begin the work (dredging) and not undermine our health rights. The dredging has to continue.”

Another protestor, Matuak Dlenga, reiterated the calls to the presidency to implement the dredging policy as approved by the council of ministers.

“I am a citizen of this country and I demand my rights and the rights of my community who are suffering from flooding,” he said. “We need the Naam River to be dredged as soon as possible.”

A member of the state parliament representing one of the constituencies in Unity state, Deng Moun Liah, said he supports the voices of those who came out to protest in favor of grudging.

“We have acknowledged the community protest and as a member of the state legislative assembly who is representing them, they have the right to demand their rights from high authority,” Moun said.

Two weeks ago, South Sudan President Salva Kiir ordered the suspension of all dredging activities in the country until evidence-based studies are carried out on the impact of the project.

Source: Radio Tamazuj