Lake State directs to release returnees salaries
By Manyang Mayom
Sept 4, 2006 (RUMBEK) -– Lakes State deputy governor directed to release salaries to returnees from Wau Western Bhar-El-Gazal State after months of deprivation. He described their return as a strong push to the peace in the region.
Lakes State feputy Governor Lt.Col. David Nok Marial Buot met on Sunday at Rumbek Senior secondary school returnees coming out from Wau Western Bhar-El-Gazal State.
He immediately directed that Wau official who were been working as the staff of Lakes State in side Wau, you are welcome and as from today onwards, you are green-lighted to sign your salaries of May, June, July, at one.
In case of any failure, please contact me direct David says.
David Nok declared that strong push on CPA must to be in place, “welcome back our brothers and sisters who were been outside their home town, feel free and at home” says David.
It’s a sad sight to view as old men, women and children lie down or sit or just sleep under mango trees next to classrooms of Rumbek Secondary School (boys). These are the Lakes State employees (clerks and workers) who were resident in Wau, Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
They were compelled to come to the Lakes State by the GOSS and they did not receive their salaries. The Lakes State rented trucks that brought them with their furniture including the Lakes State’s offices furniture in Wau and the Lakes State Governor house furniture. However, what have the new arrivals found in Rumbek? Nothing. They only found misery and more suffering.
Those who have houses or relatives went away or rather got integrated into the Rumbek society .The vast majority however, could not find some place to stay and had to make do with the Rumbek Secondary School mango trees that line the school peripheries.
What is sad about the condition of these people is their inability to feed themselves. Since their arrival on the fourth quarter of last July, the Wau returnees did not receive their salaries. Though some were given a one-month salary for the month of April, it was meagre when compared to Rumbek essential commodities prices. Their salaries for the months of May, June and July are yet to be doled out by the Lakes State.
They therefore, have no money to buy food or medicines when someone gets sick considering that amongst them are children and old people who are their dependents.
The humanitarian crisis that was unleashed by GOSS on these innocent citizens had some repercussions that prompted some UN agencies to visit the school site to see for themselves.
(ST)