Women’s vocational center opened in Lakes state

By Manyang Mayom

April 29, 2011 (RUMBEK) – The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) had officially opened a women’s vocational training institute in Aluakluak payam (district), Yirol West county of Lakes state.

According to GoSS minister of labour and public services, Awut Deng Achuil, said that center is there to increase women’s capacity in education and in vocational work skills. The center is well equipped with computers and other facilities.

The project cost around US$1.9 million. The contractor came under criticism from GoSS ministers for having built the walls of the building to a low standard. According to the Lakes state Governor, an engineer, there are cracks in the walls and an unprofessional job has been done.

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) who contracted the company to implement the construction project did not response the minister criticism.

Minister Awut, said that “this work is not professional – there are a lot of mistakes in the building – there are a lot of agreements on construction side which are being violated by the engineer – the toilets and kitchen are not good.”

The Women’s Vocational Training Institute was officially opened on Thursday during a grand ceremony attended by a host of Government officials.

The Institute is situated some 60km from Rumbek along Rumbek-Yirol road.

Speaking on behalf of the President of South Sudan at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Gender and Social Development, Agnes Lasuba, described the occasion as “a milestone in the history of South Sudan”, explaining that the institute is the first of its kind in South Sudan.

She revealed that the institute will empower women in various skills, among them, accounts, book keeping, information technology, tailoring, catering, carpentry, mechanics, among others.

She also said that the skills to be acquired by women who enrol at the institute will be key sources of employment and that they will guarantee self-sufficiency in many families in South Sudan.

The Governor of Lakes state, Chol Tong Mayay, thanked the local community for giving them the land on which the institute is constructed.

Lasubas concluded her speech by announcing that the President of South Sudan has donated a bus for the institute.

She also pledged SDG5,000 (US$1,870) for the children present at the celebration as a reward for their patient endurance on the hot and stuffy day.

With funding from Multi-Donor Trust Fund and GoSS, the institution was constructed at a cost of US$7.9million.

Other GoSS officials in attendance included the of Minister of Labor and Public Service, Awut Deng Acuil, the Minister of Health, Luka Monoja, Members of South Sudan Legislative Assembly Daniel Deng Monydit, Monica Ayen Maguat, Acut Nok, Awerial Aluong among others.

(ST)