Lakes state governor concerned over integration of returnees

By Manyang Mayom

January 18, 2011 (RUMBEK) – Lakes state Governor Chol Tong Mayay has expressed concerns about the integration of returnees into communities in his state saying that job opportunities are a major challenge.

According to the UN around 55,000 southern Sudanese returned to the region in the last two months of 2010, ahead of the region’s independence referendum that concluded on January 15, with results expected in early February.

The plebiscite – agreed as part of a 2005 peace deal between north and south Sudan – is expected to result in the south separating from the north.

Governor Tong said that the Lakes state government is going to face the challenge of incorporating those who have returned to the south, especially as many are returning from urban areas and therefore will not have experience in rural livelihoods.

The governor said that the returnees in the fields of teaching and nursing professions will easily be integrated but expressed worries for the returnees who have industrial professions since the state does not have any factories.

He said that the government has appealed to the international community to assist in integrating the returnees into the community.

The governor also expressed concern about unaccompanied children and the elderly, describing them as “vulnerable groups”.

He revealed that his government has approached Save the Children to reach out to the children who did not travel with their parents and the World Food Program for food supply beyond the 3 months worth of rations that have already been pledged to returnees.

The governor admitted that integration of returnees “is not an easy thing”, stating that it is a process that will take the state government two to three years to finally settle the integration of returnees.

Isaac Karkon Alajabo, the Lakes State Deputy Director of the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) said that his organization lacks means of transport to ferry the returnees to their respective Counties.

He also said that the government has organized for permanent settlement of the returnees by giving plots for their settlement.

“We don’t have vehicle to take them, so that is why some of people are on various [Way] stations waiting [for] vehicles to take them to their respective counties because funding is difficult for us – we have internal transport to their counties – the government is preparing to give them plots in various villages in Lakes state”.

Lakes State has so far received close to 4,000 returnees from Northern Sudan, arriving by land, air and river to participate in South Sudan’s independence referendum.

Turnout in Lakes state stands at 94% according to referendum officials, not including counties who have not reported their results to Lakes state referendum commission.

After initial results, an overwhelming vote for separation is expected.

(ST)