Radio Jonglei goes on air, as election officers protest for better pay
By Philip Thon Aleu
April 8, 2010 (BOR) – Days before the general elections, Jonglei state has launched its first local on air, Radio Jonglei FM 95.9, in partnership with a local church.
The media project is financed 70% by State government and 30% Church’s –donated by the Church.
Pastor Peter Tijwog Agwet, management director of Radio Jonglei described as determinant the influence of Jonglei Gov. Kuol Manyang who championed the initiative of obtaining a local news outlet.
Donated to Jonglei State by Sudan Christians Ministries – an indigenous organization through the House of Prayer for All Nation Church, Radio Jonglei aims at polishing unity and peace cementing among the state six tribes through broadcasting news and other programs in different dialects.
It will also cover elections due on Sunday April 11. As politicians officially end election’s campaign on Friday April 9 it is unlikely that political parties will air their electoral manifesto.
ELECTION OFFICERS PROTEST PAY
In development related to voting preparation here, polling officers are contesting funding at 75 SDG for head and other staffs respectively per day for 10 days.
The compound of Jonglei State High Committee for National Election Commission was littered with students and school teachers Thursday afternoon filing complaints of under pay.
The youthful staffs are trained to be hired by NEC to assist voters during elections exercise alongside organizing polling stations for votes on Sunday. They also will aid in counting votes at polling stations thereafter. They have threatened to suspend any duties related to elections activities entrusted on them by NEC until a form of contract is signed with “sustainable funds.”
“75 Sudanese Pounds (SDG) including feeding, accommodation and communication is not enough,” said James Achiek, a head of polling Station. “We need sustainable funds so that we don’t become a burden to chiefs in the villages,” his colleagues speak from a crowd that gathered around reporters to air their grievances.
Contacted to comment the protest, the NEC officials here say much as the complaint is genuine, the office here cannot add a Sudanese piaster.
“This 75 SDG is not our making here in Jonglei State. It is all over the Country,” a NEC official told Sudan Tribune as he represented a circular signed by NEC Secretary General Dr. Galal Mohamed Ahmed with the stated amount to polling and counting employees effective on April 6 to April 15.
The under-pay protest has frustrated voting training in Bor and Twic East Counties in Jonglei.
(ST)
ayuairech
Radio Jonglei goes on air, as election officers protest for better pay
Goodnews and well done by Jonglei state for lunching it,s first radio on air.this one of the most development initiative that would have been stablished earlier. concerning electrol committee strike ,it,s true that they are being under pay because (75SDG)is not enought.
Akuma
Radio Jonglei goes on air, as election officers protest for better pay
Thanks for Jonglei people and those states in Southern Sudan who manage to have their radios. I hope every state will announce it own problem upon their jurisdiction. The problems affecting Jonglei state will wind up these days. Let the management of Jonglei state radio be accuracy otherwise payment of workers should not be delay again like Southern Sudan radio who spend thousands of days with out paying their workers unless they demonstrate for their salary.
Hope cattle raiders and children kidnapping will end soon in Jonglei state and other parts of Sudan.
Thanks once again Mr. Philiph Thon Aleu for your updating news, hard working and commitment. Let the everything happening in the state be known globally.
Dr. Akuma,
Chicago, USA
wenatemdejuach
Radio Jonglei goes on air, as election officers protest for better pay
Workers from Jonglei are always cheated using a slogan” Work for the development of your country,Sacrify yourself”.I doubt, how long will it take for Southerners to delet such an abusive words? Sacrifice!!!! It is good to stay without elections so that they see. The good amount brought by the donars From Japan, China and the European Union has been pocketed. If they don’t increase such an amount don’t agree on their buble talk. The late Dr Garng died for the South so that we are free from any disaster who is next needed to sacrify him/herself.
There is no help at all in the South. when you visit offices looking for employment what come to their mind is that he is coming for a beg.
When there is corruption, there is no progress.watch out and let CPA makes it move otherwise Jonglei won’t cast any vote if the tension still unsolvable