W. Equatoria launches cleaning project in preparation for independence celebrations

June 10, 2011 (TOMBURA) – On Friday authorities in Western Equatoria State (WES) launched a cleaning campaign in the state capital Yambio in preparations for the July 9 celebrations of the independence South Sudan.

Hundreds of citizens of Yambio County, including some business men, organized forces and all government officials assembled at Yambio’s Freedom Square to witness and take part at the official launch of the general cleaning project by the state government.

With less than a month left until South Sudan’s secession from the north after January’s referendum on self determination preparations are in full swing across the region.

The deputy governor of the state who is the chairperson of independence celebration committee Sapana Abuyi disclosed that it will very big day for the people of South Sudan.

“We are launching a general cleaning of the town as for national preparations of celebration that we have ordered all offices to close and all business, people are flagging, we want this process to start as of today and every Saturday all offices and business people shall suspend business, and continue with the cleaning,” declared Abuyi.

He said the cleaning will continue until the day off independence. Abuyi said: “it is important for us since we are going to be a new nation we want reach that new nation in a clean environment.”

Despite the occupation of the contested border territory of Abyei, which has caused around 100,000 displaced people, and recent bombardment of Unity state most southern states are read to host the independence celebrations.

The commissioner of Yambio county, Angelo Bakote, said the day will be “very historic” for Western Equatoria, Yambio county and southern Sudan in general but also personally as it is the same day he lost his father three years ago.

Bakote said that July 9 will be a special day of freedom day for his and future generations of South Sudanese.

Meanwhile Joyce Innocent who took part in the cleaning exercise said she is feeling happy, because the southerners shall be free.

Isaac Okwera, saidthat he wanted to help in the clean up “because of the celebration due on 9 of July will be very important and today we are cleaning up so that such an event be clean and we are going to be the new generation of South Sudan.”

(ST)