Rumbek graduates 104 wildlife forces
By Manyang Mayom
April 28, 2007 (RUMBEK) – Rumbek has graduated 104 wildlife soldiers who were under training for (6) six months. They are now to be distributed in to the National parks and reserves to be effective and to stop poaching and enforce wildlife laws.
Lakes State celebrated on Thursday April 26, the graduation of 104 Wildlife soldiers. The ceremony was attended by Southern Sudan government Minister of Environment Wildlife and Tourism James Loro, under secretary of Wildlife Mr. Alfred Akooi, Brig. Bol Akot, Commissioner of Rumbek Central County Abraham Makoi Bol Kodi, and others officials.
The master of ceremony Colonel. Abraham Mayak Gum told Sudan Tribune that this was the first budge of Wildlife Forces graduated in Lakes State since Rumbek government had host a good many graduations of Prisons, Police and other regular forces
“It is the first time for Wildlife Forces to graduate the number of 104 complexes with NCOs and Men in Rumbek.” He said
The minister hailed the role of the wildlife in the protection of the animals and environment saying “you 104 young NCOs and Men which I am graduating today here in Rumbek, please pickup my promise and save with it that you are most true teams that can protect the Animal in forest.”
He added “as you have witness in front of you here the citizens of Rumbek beside you always” they are your close friends of Wildlife and I believe they must cooperate with you to protect the Wildlife sectors to maintain their life hood.
The commissioner of Rumbek Central County Abraham Makoi Bol Kodi told the graduation “you have now been sent down to protect the life of our animal like now the government of Southern Sudan is protecting her people at all grassroots of insecurity in all level of South Sudan as Sudan for all better Sudanese people.”
The director of Wildlife in Lakes State Brig. Daniel Dut Mabeny pointed out the background of the department saying that Department of Wildlife offices were built with local materials and it became bare ground and no means for renovation. If there is no development budget for wildlife Lakes State, we have decided to make self help project which we have already sent to your end and for your office consideration.
He said during the mobilization headed by Maj.General Gerardo Wol Atem, some of our forces were paid for the month of June 2006, from that month they did not get their wages up to now, they were told the continuing with us without salaries as volunteers, therefore we are looking forward under your sincerely consideration on this mater. In Lakes State we have two National Parks, Southern Sudan National Parks and Shambe National Parks, which are now functioning with their manpower.
(ST)