Two babies born with deformities in Koch as residents decry oil pollution

BENTIU – Health authorities in Koch County of Unity State have reported two cases of babies born with deformities at Mirmir Primary Health Centre in February, heightening concerns about possible environmental contamination linked to oil operations in the area.

The County Health Director, James Tut Riak, said the cases were recorded earlier this month and have alarmed both health officials and residents. According to Riak, similar abnormalities have also been observed among domestic animals, fueling suspicions that pollution from oil activities may be affecting both humans and livestock.

Koch County lies within Unity State’s oil-producing belt and hosts extensive oil and gas operations, particularly in the Tharjath (Block 5A) oil fields. Community members and local authorities have long raised concerns about environmental degradation in the region, including water and soil contamination.

Riak said county authorities have held several meetings with representatives of the oil operating company, SPOC, to discuss the issue and seek support for affected families. However, he noted that there has been no official response or concrete action from the company so far.

“We have recorded several cases of babies born with deformities across Koch County,” Riak said. “We have engaged SPOC on this matter and asked them to support the victims, but there has been no official response.”

A resident of Koch County, Koang Khor Wal, said he personally witnessed the recent cases at Mirmir Primary Health Centre after hearing reports of babies born with deformities. He confirmed that the two latest cases occurred on February 7 and were documented by local health authorities.

Wal urged the government to intervene and engage the oil company to provide medical assistance and other forms of support to affected families. “We are appealing to the government to talk to SPOC to assist the community with medication and other support for those facing these deformities,” he said.

According to local authorities, a total of eight cases of birth deformities have been reported in Koch County since 2024, including cases recorded in 2024, 2025, and two so far this year.

Despite repeated engagements with the company, officials say little progress has been made, particularly from its community development department.

While no scientific study has yet confirmed a direct link between oil pollution and the deformities, the pattern of cases has intensified calls for an independent environmental and medical assessment.

In September 2022, amid growing calls to hold oil companies to account, the Ministry of Petroleum contracted three firms to conduct the environmental audit, including COWI SA (Norway/Bridge Consultant) for Dar Petroleum (DPOC), Envag Associates (Kenya) for Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), and Panloy & SGS for Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC).

The audit was commissioned following extensive reports of environmental degradation, including soil and water contamination, which have caused severe health problems for local populations in oil-producing areas.

The audit reports were not released nearly four years later. Internal government sources say the companies that conducted the audit were not paid.