Residents to be relocated after planned demolitions in Bentiu

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

February 11, 2011 (BENTIU) – Authorities in oil-rich Unity state have decided to knock down the four areas of Bentiu town that they say have not been properly surveyed for habitation.

The council of ministers of Unity State has decreed that Ayiengas, Kordapkordap, Dera A and Dera B blocks will be demolished and rebuilt.

The state authorities said that the four well populated blocks were not planned strategically.

Council of ministers says their policy is to ensure basic services are available before the residents are moved to new areas of the town.

The demolition process will begin this month. However, many citizens say they do not agree with government’s decision to relocate citizens from the areas.

The government wants to build a green memorial park to the south’s former leader the late John Garang where Unity state citizens can relax and gather in the middle of Bentiu town. Some residents who live in the areas say the re-settlement plan will be good as long as the government fulfills its promise to bring services to their new homes.

Acuil Acigak, a resident of Hayingas said that he would appreciate the chance to move if the government can provide the services needed in the short time period. He said that it feels like people have been pushed out. Acigak said that some residents to not know where they will be relocated to.

He said others had been told so, “you ask yourself: what is the government doing?” The resident said it is good for the government to initiate preparing things like electricity, bore holes. The government should consider these “factors before relocation takes place”.

Nyaguong Tam Chap who lives in Kordap-Kordap told Sudan Tribune: “For the relocation of people, I wouldn’t consider [it] as a major problem or task because it is like celebrating the festival which involved every persons, and the government should make sure good social services are provided in the new relocation for settlement of its citizens”.

But others are not happy with the government decision to destroy their homes. Gatluak Kang deng, who lives in Dera A, asks how he is supposed to find the money to build a new place: “I would not agree with [the] government of taking steps toward demolition of our residence, relocating us to new place may be costly in terms of building a new home. Where can I get money to make a new settlement? Even though free services are rendered still challenges will face us, to me I can term it as bad decision from state authorities”.

The council of ministers said that public services need to be quickly set-up in the new residential areas before the re-location takes place. Authorities also added that everyone must respect the decision. Those with government positions will be re-settled first.

Some in the area are worried about the demolitions of these areas, with residents powerless to rebuild their homes in the areas the government plans to demolish.

A resident from Dera A block, speaking anonymously, told Sudan Tribune said the locations residents are due to be located to, are flooded during the rainy season. For this reason they said they would not be able to buy enough sand in order build proper foundations for the new houses.

The resident added that residents would advise the government to withdraw the proposed demolition process.

Citizens complain that to build a new home is very expensive without proper materials and level ground. They say that buying grass for one house costs 1,000 Sudan Pounds as well other materials.

(ST)