Rumbek hosts Lakes state commissioners forum for first time

By Manyang Mayom

October 8, 2010 (RUMBEK) – The eight county commissioners of Lakes state assembled on Tuesday for a three-day forum which aim to share experiences in their respective counties view designing a common plan of action in good governance and rule of law to be implemented.

The forum is organized by Government of Southern Sudan, Local Government Board with support from the United Development Programme Program (UNDP). The three day forum will involve all eight county commissioners of Lakes state and, their executive directors, paramount chiefs, and senior government officials, among them ministers and dvisors who participate as observers.

This is the first time since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, this is the first time all 8 counties commissioners came together to discuss their difficulties facing them in their respective field work.

The peace deal brought together Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the former rebels the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) who now govern the south in a power and wealth sharing agreement that is due to expire in January 2011.

Lakes state government minister Mabor Mayen said that the forums was scheduled for last month, but could not take place because the commissioners had just been appointed.

Mayen said that during the forum, the commissioners and the executive directors present their programs, share the challenges they experience in carrying out their duties and efforts made towards overcoming the challenges, adding that through this sharing, commissioners come to know some of the common problems and come up with a plan of action.

During Thursday’s sessions, the commissioners presented their programs, while Friday’s morning session discussed the Local Government Act 2009 by which the commissioners, executive directors and other government officials operate. The forum also discussed the Southern Sudan Referendum Act 2009, presented by the chairman of Lakes State Referendum High Committee, Mabor Makuei.

The minister underlined the relevance of the discussion on the Referendum Act 2009 to the forum, saying that it helps the local leaders to have a legal understanding of the Referendum in order to carry out their activities within the law. Mayen affirmed that there will be a three day forum for the council of the traditional authorities bringing together all the chiefs beginning on Friday 8 October to enlighten them on the referendum and basic of rule of law.

The Lakes state commissioners’ forums concluded on Thursday and was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with the support of Lakes state government and the Government of Southern Sudan broad for Local Government Law Enforcement Agency.

(ST)