The High Court in Lakes State, sitting in Rumbek, has ordered Africa Resources Corporation (ARC), a construction company owned by Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel, to pay USD 8 million to villagers in Rumbek East County who were affected by devastating floods after shoddy road works by the company.
The court decree No. 01/2025, seen by Radio Tamazuj, was submitted before Noah Gabriel Kau, High Court judge, and was between Rumbek East Community (plaintiff) and ARC company (defendant).
The final order said the dependent is responsible for the flooding that affected 459 households south of the main road from Pool-kuch-Atiaba Payam of Rumbek East County.
“The defendant is ordered to compensate the displaced plaintiffs with the amount of USD 8,262,000,” the order read in part. “The dependent shall bear the cost of court fees of USD 1,000 and advocate fees of USD 4,000.”
Gueny Madit, the lawyer representing the 459 plaintiffs, said they filed the case in the High Court, which issued the first summons, which was ignored, to the defendant on 23 January 2025. Added that the court gave the compensation to the victims who were affected by floods caused by ARC’s negligence when they were constructing the road.
“The defendants’ agents or legal representative did not appear and therefore, as a matter of procedure, the court issued another summon to the defendant and it was taken to Juba. The court proceedings were done in their absence because it is in the provision of law,” he explained. “When the pronouncement or judgment was done, none of them was present, and the court issued a decree and summons to be served to the defendant, following the same procedures of law.”
“The summons and court degree will allow the defendant to decide to either file an application within 30 days or set aside the decision of the court,” Madit added.
For his part, Daniel Laat Kot, a civil society activist in Lakes State, said there is a need to compensate the victims.
“According to the information that we heard, ARC did not attend court, which was adjourned several times, and the High Court had no other option but to announce the verdict,” he said. “We welcome this verdict on behalf of the community, and the only thing that we are calling for now is its implementation.”