E. Equatoria assembly opens with calls for peace

June 25, 2013 (TORIT) – The governor of South Sudan Eastern Equatoria state has officially opened the state assembly with calls for patience and peace among citizens.

Louis Lobong, in his speech at Monday, appealed to civil servants in the state not to lose hope in the wake of the current economic difficulties in the young country.

He urged lawmakers in the state to be productive during the fourth session of the assembly, and ensure that government plans and policies concerning their constituents are well deliberated.

South Sudan is currently facing tough economic times after government initiated austerity measures to fill the huge gap created by the oil shut down last year.

However, Lobong appealed to citizens in his state to unite with each other and ensure the forthcoming independence occasion, ends with success all over the state.

The young nation, will on 9 July, commemorate its independence anniversary, two years after it seceded from Sudan as part of the 2005 peace deal.

The governor, at the occasion, cited security, education and health as his main priorities, calling upon the state lawmakers to join hands in efforts to implement them.

Meanwhile, the speaker of the state assembly urged the youth not to be divided youth of the state not to be misled by “hungry” politicians in the state.

Emmanuel Ambrose Ocholimoi was reacting after a youth conference organised in the state last week ended in controversy and a boycott over the formation of its executive body.

(ST)