JUBA, South Sudan 

South Sudan has officially resumed production of crude oil after a 7-year hiatus, the country's oil minister said Monday.

The production has begun in Block 5A and the unit is seeking production of 8,000 barrels per day.

Output in the oil block has been capped by Sudan but the country "will make sure the capping is lifted so that we produce more than 16,000 barrels a day," Puot Kang Chol told reporters at a ceremony held in Tharjiath oilfield in Unity State.

"The resumption to us as a government means economic security, not only to the government of South Sudan but also to the communities in the oil-producing region," he added,

The resumption "marks a significant milestone for SPOC," said Eruwan Gerry, head of the Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) which operates the block.

"SPOC targets to increase its production to 8,000 barrels per day by the end of 2021 and will reach the 2:11 production cap ratio at 16,000 barrels per day by middle of 2022," Gerry said.