CHAPTER III PETROLEUM AND GAS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT Guiding Principles for Petroleum and Gas Development and Management 172. (1) Ownership of petroleum and gas shall be vested in the people of South Sudan and shall be developed and managed by the National Government on behalf of and for the benefit of the people. (2) Petroleum and gas development and management shall be guided by the following principles: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (m) (n) (o) safeguarding National interests; creating lasting benefits for society; promoting efficient and sustainable resource management; using oil revenues to develop other sectors of the economy, especially agriculture; ensuring transparency and accountability; promoting fair competition to increase productivity and efficiency in the petroleum and gas sector; promoting balanced and equitable development; creating a secure and healthy investment environment; protecting the environment and biodiversity; building the capacity of South Sudanese within the petroleum and gas sector; establishing oil infrastructure within South Sudan, such as pipelines, refineries, storage, processing and transport facilities; safeguarding interests of future generations; ensuring accountability for violations of human rights and degradation to the environment caused by petroleum and gas-related operations; and ensuring restoration of land and resources affected by development and management. National Petroleum and Gas Council 173. (1) A National Petroleum and Gas Council shall be established as a policy making body with respect to petroleum and gas resources. (2) The National Petroleum and Gas Council shall report to the Council of Ministers. (3) The National Petroleum and Gas Council shall consist of relevant national Ministers, representatives of oil-producing states and institutions as shall be regulated by law. (4) The National Government and the oil producing states shall be represented in the National Petroleum and Gas Council in accordance with the law. 64