Oranto Petroleum Launches Plan to Boost Socio-Economic Development in South Sudan

Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Minister of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan

Oil producing and exploration company, Oranto Petroleum will finance an educational programme in conjunction with South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum as part of its commitment to boosting the country’s socio-economic development.

Oranto, and its sister company, Atlas Petroleum, comprise Africa’s largest privately held, Africa-focused exploration and production group, with 22 licenses in 11 jurisdictions, including producing assets in Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

The support from Oranto Petroleum paves the way for 25 teachers to receive quality training that will benefit 60,000 children across 30 villages in Yirol, in South Sudan’s Eastern Lakes State. The program will run for a 5-year period and is expected to have a considerable impact on communities in the State, which is amongst the poorest of the country.

It will be implemented by Action for Intervention and Management (AIM), a non-governmental organization that works to provide quality education to the most under-developed parts of South Sudan.

“At Oranto Petroleum, it is our firm belief that supporting teachers in their professional development leads to improved outcomes for learners. Good quality training is an essential part of a teacher’s professional life and it is going to help so many children,” said Prince Arthur Eze, Executive Chairman of Oranto Petroleum.

“In South Sudan and across Africa, too many children have not had the utmost access to an excellent education. I am happy this program will start addressing this issue and closing the gap especially with young girls. Oranto will continue supporting what catalyzes leadership to make educational equity a reality,” he added.

Oranto’s support to the programme is in line with the company’s policy to significantly engage local capacities in all its activities in South Sudan and promote the development of social infrastructure.

The company already awarded last year a contract for the construction of two primary schools in Yirol and Rumbek, at an estimated cost of over $800,000. The construction of the schools is being executed by local construction company Dynamic Supplies and Construction Limited, in line with Oranto’s commitment to mobilise local human and material resources in all its activities in the Republic of South Sudan

“The South Sudanese oil industry can never be at its best without qualified citizens to take up roles across the full value chain. Earning a qualification is not enough for teachers to continue to grow, develop and evolve,” commented Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Minister of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan.

“For South Sudan to reach its true place in Africa, we have to invest in education and great students are the result of great teachers and it is therefore essential to empower and support teaching professionals throughout this country and I am thankful to Oranto Petroleum and implore on other oil companies in the country to do the same,” he said.