Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
By Philip Thon Aleu
February 18, 2009 (BOR TOWN) — Lt. Gen., Jonglei Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk has ordered Bor County headquarters (HQs) to quit Bor Town for Werkok, about 12 miles east Bor Town, with immediate effect. Bor commissioner says he will comply since “it is an order.”
“The policy of the Government of Southern Sudan is taking towns to the people which has made it a necessity [for Bor County] to transfer [the HQs] to Werkok. This will encouraged the population in Bor Town to go back to use the abandoned permanently built schools, hospitals and clean water point,” Gov. Kuol Manyang said.
When asked about the safety of the administrative units in Werkok given rampant raiding by Murle tribesmen there, Gov. Kuol Manyang says: “If our people are in the Countryside, what is wrong with the administration.” Manyang, however, advised Bor community to stop scattered settlement. Gov. Kuol pledged that security situation in Jonglei State will improve within the next two months without elaborating.
Bor County commissioner Abraham Jok Ariing told the Sudan Tribune later on Monday that he will respect his community decision of not negotiating with Gov. Kuol Manyang since it is an order.
Bor community leaders rejected their County’s HQs relocation to Werkok twice (in 2006 and recently in December, 2008) on ground that it is very close to Bor Town to meet the said aims. Dividing Bor County into two and budget insufficiency are yet other reasons cited by Bor leaders to consider moving out of the long inhibited HQs since colonial period.
Ariing however observed moving to Werkok is not a complete success unless the government does more.
“We have to convince the community through services and therefore we need a lot to be done to meet the aim,” he said referring to relocation to Werkok at the interest of attracting Bor community back to their villages. “Going to Werkok will not make security 100% perfect,” he said adding “our departure from here is not at the interest of the community but if the government thinks it s good, then we shall go.”
Ariing also seek compensations of buildings to be left behind in Bor town and increasing the 900 police composed of mainly elder persons and child bearing-age women.
Southern Sudan campaign of “Taking town to the people” has a lot of economically backed resistance from Counties hosting capitals including the seat of GoSS at Juba.
The host Counties benefits from revenue collection and employment opportunities making relocation to distance centers unthinkable, but Bor Commissioner Jok Ariing says his County will continue taking 60% local taxes collection.
But Bor County’s youths are divided over the issue with others claiming better prosperity at home.
“If our headquarters is taken to Werkok, our people will feel close to the government and comfortably remain at their ancestors’ house,” Daniel Kou, a student at John Garang Institute told the Sudan Tribune here on Monday.
“The government of Jonglei State should respect community views and stop forcing people out of Bor Town,” a man identified as Simon said.
(ST)
Anyang
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
Dear all.
I personally loudly applaud Mr governor’s rhoteric to order the Hon.commissioner Ariing to relocate the HQof B.county as loyal citizen,to Werkok as permanent site for the county without doubt.
Having say that, I hope my fellow citizen of the greater Bor will automatically relinquished some their stereotypes character for our good as a community as well as people,hoping that It will bring in the greater overhaul to our being as a people.And I certainly urge my fellows citizen to solemnly abide by the governor request.
biarawieu
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
Hi everyone in this community, this is the law we have to respect our Government of Jonglei State, Bortown is the HQ and the capital city of all Jonglei state counties not individual. please comply with whatever the Government said, this is another way of creating jobs to our community.
mamero
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
BRAVO,Lt Gen KUOL
I wish to thank our governnor of Jonglei State for the fundamental decision he has stated forward to relocate the headquarter of Bor South sudanese at Werkok which could be adminstrative center to both Athiooc and Gok constuencies regardles of all shit insecurity operated by primate Murle who doesn,t know how vital the freedoms are? Moreever, i don,t see the reasons as to why the commissioner goes against this fruitful decision? Inaddition of this,Bor south county should have two counties instead of one to cater more opportunities rather than be confined under one commission,however,time will come to compheren and identify political lime light,thanks for the day.
Kwaje D
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
The idea is good if at all done in good faith….
There is nothing good in this semi-villages people call town. Collecting revenue eaten up by corrupt leaders should not keep our people in poor health in towns..
Let’s go home for home is home!
Mounyjang
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
It is a good idea that Bor county Hqs get transfered to Werkok. This will enhance security for the vulnerable citizens left at the countryside.
Mr. Nuer, people forget the past when they have reconciled. And a beginning of any recouncilatory process is always an apology which Riek has refused to do.
Anyhow, Riek’s apology is no longer important since his crimes are already under review by ICC.
Don’t be surprised to learn of his arrest like Pierre Bemba.
Have u ever asked yourself why Riek has never left Sudan for an oversee trip since the formation of GoSS?
Note that; no one has a problem with Nuer as a community, but Riek’s leadership in South Sudan is the wildest and impossible dream you have ever had.
Bior-raandu
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
Dear all,
Allow me to express my gratitudes to Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk for his hard work in Jonglei state. Hon. Governor, your decission is highly welcomed by those who sound for the development.We need to see development in our state and counties because there is no development if county and State develop one place. I never see new building built by Commissioner Abraham Jok of Bor County, where does the budget for his county for social development goes? Therefore; we need to watch him keenly to cooperate by your orders otherwise; time limit for those who develop their stomach than serve the poor people.Let’s see you starting your own Office in Werkok than to use the old buildings which are already existed.
Dear Governor 60% that Bor county used to get for the other revenues in the county should continue getting them because the state is allocated in its terrotory
Benywut
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
Philip Thon,
Thank you my brother for the good news. Infact, This move from Governor Kuol was long overdue to kick Mr.Aring out of Bor Town but late is better than never.I was against the decision to take the County headquarter to State Headquarter since the idea came up in 2005 but short sighted brothers could not see the other side of the coin.
During the war in the face of combination of Arab, Junubeen, and natural calamities, Bor has not been diserted the way it is now.
Mr. Aring need to take this positively if has has ever visited his Father grave during Christmas, the roads were pathetic from Bor to Padak, Mareng, Anyidi and Mareng -Chuikeer.
To the rest of Sudan Tribune subscribers, please do start childish tribal wars on behalf of whichever community you are from. non of you has been authorize by any tribe according to my knowledge. Your comments on any topic should be mature and professional with national spirit at heart.
Thank you for your understanding
BORAnyidi
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
Hi brothers, we are supposed to know that we wanted unity not separation in S-Sudan. you would have to understand that we still have got along way to reach our dream of freedom, but having such war of words on the public wed would disqualify us for gernemenance ourselve. Therefore,we have to forget about all the problems between Nuers and Dinka Bor. What happened in 1991 was a political issues, that most us would not understand or get it. I understand that there are people from diferent tribes that are using Dinkas and Nuers names on the wed. But there will be time where we will find their real names. I hope that we will work together to achieve our goals of fought for recent 21 years. Thanks our governor for doing the best he can.
mamero
Jonglei Governor sends Bor County out of capital
TO MR NUER,
Let me remind you once more that mr Riek was born out of wedlock by his biological dad from western sudan commonly known as Darfur,however,mr Riek deserved to be Nuer because her mum was a social concubine to Machar Teny, hence, do not compare basted to Kuol manyang though, he is ugly.