HON. PUOT KANG CHOL ELABORATES REFORMS IN OIL SECTOR DURING OFFICIAL LAUNCHING EVENT OF SOUTH SUDAN PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOSCIENTISTS ASSOCIATION

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 Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Puot Kang Chol Delivering Keynote Speech During Phenomenal Launching Event of South Sudan Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Association (SSPEGA) on the 4th of December 2021

The long awaited official launching programme of a professional entity known as “South Sudan Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Association (SSPEGA)” finally took place on 4th of December 2021 in Juba, the capital city of the Republic of South Sudan. 

This phenomenal launching programme was attended by Hon. Puot Kang Chol, Ministry of Petroleum, Hon.Dr. Andu Ezbon, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Mining, Eng.Enstaluas Tombe Bunde, Deputy Managing Director & DG of Exploration & Production in NILEPET, Eng. Majak Arop, President of Nile Drilling & Services, Eng. Babatunde Odeyemi, General Manager of Niledelta Petroleum Company Limited, managers, section heads of various companies, Petroleum Engineers, Geoscientists, Mechanical Engineers and Electrical Engineers among others.

South Sudan Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Association (SSPEGA) was established on 22nd of March 2020 in Juba with aims and objectives of empowering Engineers and Geoscientists through knowledge sharing and providing platform for Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists to discuss issues related to oil and gas operations. This association is a non-partisan organization which is only affiliated to oil and gas parameters, mining sector as well as environment. It is legally registered with Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) dating back to July 2020. SSPEGA serves as one of the professional platforms for networking, training, knowledge sharing, mentorship and other activities. In his keynote speech, the Chairperson of SSPEGA, Eng. Michael Alier Deng appreciated Hon. Puot Kang Chol (Minister of Petroleum) and Hon. Eng. Awow Daniel Chuang (Undersecretary, Ministry of Petroleum) for financial support which led to the successful establishment of SSPEGA. 

In his keynote speech, Hon. Puot Kang Chol, the Minister of Petroleum who was also the Chief Guest to the official launching programme appreciated entire leadership and members of South Sudan Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Association for establishment of such professional body in the country. As a professional entity, South Sudan Petroleum Engineers and Geoscientists Association (SSPEGA) is expected to demonstrate professionalism in its activities. It is known that politics, tribalism, greed for power and financial mismanagement are some of the things that can be detrimental to the activities and growth of professional association like SSPEGA. For that matter, Hon. Puot Kang advised entire SSPEGA leadership and members to completely avoid politics, tribalism and greed for power. He further advised entire leadership and members of SSPEGA to always have transparency in financial management.

Addressing the gathering during the launch of South Sudan Petroleum Engineers & Geoscientists Association (SSPEGA) in Juba, Hon. Puot Kang, the Minister of Petroleum applauded the SSPEGA Executives for their tireless efforts in establishing the association. He encouraged Engineers and Geoscientists to work together to achieve the objectives of the association. Hon. Puot Kang also challenged the association to distance itself from politics for its survival otherwise politicians will kill it in their hands using political games. 

Moreover, Hon. Puot Kang acknowledged and pointed out a number of reforms in oil and gas sector of South Sudan that are being pursued by the Ministry of Petroleum, which include Unified Human Resources Policy Manual (UHRPM), Local Content, Cost recovery and Environmental Auditing. According to Hon. Puot Kang, implementation of these reforms and policies can improve the economy of South Sudan as well as empowerment of South Sudanese nationals who are underpaid by Joint Operating Companies (JOCs).

Attendees at the lunch of SSSEGA on the 4th of December 2021

Unified Human Resources Policy Manual (UHRPM)

Hon. Puot Kang called for implementation of Unified Human Resources Policy Manual (UHRPM) as it can ensure safety and well-being of workers in oil sector of South Sudan. Full implementation of UHRPM also ensures that South Sudanese citizens will be at forefront of recovery and revitalization of oil sector. Existence of a clear policy like UHRPM can also help regulating authorities in decision-making and management of petroleum and gas sector of the Republic of South Sudan.

Local Content

The Petroleum Act 2012 endorses the concept of “local content”, using South Sudanese nationals if they are competent and available to fill skilled and unskilled positions. Generally, the implementation of local content can promote employment, national capacity, economic growth as well as economic diversification. For example, implementation of local content can develop capacities that link oil and gas sector to other sectors of economy and industries within the Republic of South Sudan. The local content implementation is very important in South Sudan Oil and Gas sector in the sense that it can promote participation of indigenous companies as well as equal opportunities to South Sudanese companies.

Environmental Auditing

The purpose of environmental auditing is to find credible information and address environmental challenges in the Republic of South Sudan. Based on that note, the Ministry of Petroleum has selected some companies to conduct environmental auditing exercise in the Country. 

According to Hon. Puot Kang, implementation of the above-mentioned reforms and policies can improve the economy of South Sudan as well as empowerment of South Sudanese nationals who are currently underpaid by Joint Operating Companies (JOCs).

Hon. Puot Kang also revealed that, the Ministry of Petroleum under his leadership has acquired a survey airplane which will be used to map sedimentary basins and the minerals in South Sudan. This geophysical plane will be operated by European experts but South Sudan Geologists, Geophysicists and related personnel will be trained by these experts to take over the operation itself in future. Moreover, the Ministry of Petroleum has established data centre within the Republic of South Sudan. This centre will be used for storage and management of data once South Sudan dataset is transferred to Juba.  

In his closing remarks, Hon. Puot Kang concluded by asking all Engineers and Geoscientists to be patient especially the unemployed ones for full implementation of Unified Human Resources Policy Manual (UHRPM) before recruitment suspension is lifted in Joint Operating Companies (JoCs). He promised not to give up until all the above-mentioned reforms are implemented in letter and spirit.