The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has entered into a technical assistance cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage its hydrocarbon sector
The chamber has stated that this technical assistance will support the country in building an enabling environment for business and a world-class oil industry.
Under the agreement, the chamber will conduct an immediate needs assessment of the oil and gas sector in South Sudan and outline the vital institutional and policy reforms needed to strengthen capacity across the country’s value chain. The chamber will also work on important energy access initiatives and mobilise funding for the country.
Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, minister of petroleum in South Sudan, said, “We continue to do a remarkable job when it comes to oil field resumption. We are seeing an increase in production. However, capacity building programmes are needed to have our citizens work and manage our oil resources properly. We welcome the support of the oil sector through the AEC in its collaboration with our country.”
“This partnership with the AEC once again proves the high level of trust and genuine cooperation that is needed to develop our country. Guaranteeing energy access is important for every South Sudanese in our march towards economic growth,” he added.
NJ Ayuk, executive chairman at the AEC, commented, “South Sudan is East Africa’s only mature oil producer so the interest of oil companies to invest in the market as it puts back damaged field into production is increasing.”
“Now is the time for the oil industry to rally around the country’s efforts to build a sustainable hydrocarbons sector whose revenues equitably benefit all South Sudanese. The strengthening of the country’s oil sector is a priority as it will provide a pillar for the development of East Africa’s entire energy value-chain,” he concluded.
