JUBA
South Sudanese Vice President Riek Machar on Tuesday said that oil production in their country stopped at the beginning of 2012 and that they needed income from oil to meet the needs of the South Sudanese people.
In an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency (AA), Machar stressed that the people of South Sudan were still celebrating independence since July 9, 2011.
"Our people are happy to be independent. We began establishing our state organizations. We are working at the national, state and local levels so that the South Sudanese government moves forward. We are progressing in a stable political environment," Machar underlined.
"South Sudan has certain economic problems," Machar noted.
"On January 20, 2012, we shut down the oil pipe that went over Sudan and we are presently not earning any income from oil. Oil production and our income from oil came to a halt. On September 27, 2012, the Sudanese and South Sudanese presidents signed two agreements but the agreements have not been implemented yet. As a result, there is no current flow of oil. We can not reach the point where we want to be. In such a case, if the agreements are not to be implemented, we need to think about what we can do," Machar stressed.
-"Expectations of people very high"-
"The expectations of South Sudanese people are very high. We have deficiencies in providing food, road and health services," Machar said.
"They desire development in agriculture, transportation and industry. Our most important problem has to do with infrastructure. Unfortunately, we do not have an infrastructure. As such, we will use the income coming from the sale of oil to meet the expectations of our people," Machar stated.
"There is some discontent within our people. Individuals want road and we have not been able to complete all roads. They demand better schools which have not been constructed yet. Discontent within the society will end when we use our resources and income for the people," Machar indicated.
"We have prepared the '2040 Vision' for South Sudan. As part of the vision, we are working for a more secure, peaceful and future oriented South Sudan," Machar said.
"We have implemented the plan in economic and social fields. We are working so that the agricultural infrastructure comes to a sufficient level," Machar expressed.
-"We give priority to our relations with Turkey"-
"We give priority to our relations with Turkey," Machar underlined.
"One of our first embassies overseas was opened in Turkey. We want Turkey's technical experience to come to South Sudan and see Turkish investors in South Sudan. We welcome with sincerity all connections between Turkey and South Sudan. We can talk about air connection here. We have not yet established our own airlines. We consider Ankara as the connection to Europe. As such, the investments of the Turkish Airlines (THY) are crucial," Machar noted.
"We believe that Turkish businesspeople can find many opportunities in South Sudan. For us, Turkey implies shopping and health services. I want to remind Turkish businesspeople that our country is one of opportunities for all forms of investments. With such investments, Turkish businesspeople can earn profits and our people can have jobs," Machar also said.
