Concerns over preparations for returnees expected to arrive in Rumbek this weekend
By Manyang Mayom
January 6, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The government of Lakes state is expecting over 800 returnees travelling by land to arrive in Rumbek by this weekend, as Southern Sudanese prepare to start the long-awaited self-determination vote on Sunday.
Deputy Director of Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) in Lakes state Isaac Karkon Alajabo on Wednesday said that, “880 returnees are on their way to Lakes state by land and these returnees are expected to arrive on Friday”.
Karkon explained that one of the vehicles transporting the returnees overturned in Aweil, the capital of Northern Barh El Ghazal state, and that a woman and some children sustained injuries, but are out of danger.
He also said that the arrival of the returnees will bring the total number of returnees to Lakes to 3,655, and that the repatriation of the remaining returnees will depend on the renewal of contracts with transport companies.
Karkon revealed that “a total of 182 returnees will be settled in Rumbek Central County at Meen Atol,” 7km south of Rumbek town, adding that “some 117 returnee households have already received plots at the site”. He said that the site is equipped with water and toilet facilities sponsored by Oxfam.
Karkon also said that his office was facing financial challenges and was concerned about its ability to provide the returnees with everything they need to prepare their meals. He appealed to the returnees who can identify their ancestral lands to make efforts to integrate with their kinsmen.
With the 3,655 returnees expected to arrive in Lakes state by the weekend. Lakes is still awaiting the arrival of some 345 returnees from the north of Sudan.
(ST)
Facts Check
Concerns over preparations for returnees expected to arrive in Rumbek this weekend
Welcome back my people…I am asking our officials who are concerned with giving the returnees packages to start new life with not to apply corruption here. Yesterday there was a very good debate on Miraya FM about posible corruption that is about to take place. Please stop it!
I am an insider…I don’t want to be anymore!
Peaceful separation to our new nation
Marco A. Wek
Concerns over preparations for returnees expected to arrive in Rumbek this weekend
Some correction brother Chucker, Riek Machar has nothing to do with the current South Sudan referendum. The one that Bashir promised him died for years after he signed the so call KHARTOUM PEACE but the one you be going to is the hard fought for by SPLA under Dr. John who signed the CPA in 2005 but not Rick Machar. Do not humiliate Riek by claiming what he did not earn but since he admitted his guil and returned to his brothers whom he broke away from in 1991, he was welcome just like the story in Bible about the young son who asked how father to give his share and wondered away,however, when he left and lost what he took, he thought he had nowhere to go but come back to his father for forgiveness and in fact that was what our brother Riek Machar did by coming back to his late father, Dr. John Garang De Mabior and he was forgiven and that is why he is in SPLM and not HIS SSIM. SSIM died long time ago, it poisoned by Al Bashir when SSIM signed Khartoum Peace Agreement. I have respect for Riek as one of our current leaders under SPLM but if start digging the past, this brother has dirty past but he was forgiven and was brought back home to where belongs.
Chucker, I want you to vote as a Southerner and use your vote to free your people of Southern Sudan from the oppressive Northern governments but if you vote based on tribal lines, then I am deeply sorry for you. And if you still having that tribal mind in the United States then brother I do not know what to tell you.