Bentiu town community blames government for failing to deliver services
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
August 21, 2013 (BENTIU) – A forum between citizens and officials in Unity state’s capital saw members of the Bentiu community blame the government for failing to deliver public services.
The forum was funded by National Democratic Institute bringing local people together with government figures so the community can communicate the challenges their society is facing.
Angelina Nyapuot Yiew told the officials that the lack of proper roads within the state capital and outside is hampering the movement of people. She accused the government of inaction saying they had failed to deliver basic services to people.
The nearly 400 participants from the Dere residential area raised their concerns to state officials, including Unity state’s minister of social development, Mary Paul Ngundeng.
After listening to two hours of criticism, minister Ngundeng said that she understood the position of community concerns in the forum.
“All these they are our concerns and I think today it is very important day for me as new appointee minister in the ministry to come and start with my people to listen to their issues so that I will put them as number one of my priority in the strategy plans I will do in the ministry”, said Ngundeng.
Ngundeng urged community members to remain calm until after the rainy season when the government would be able to address the problems raised.
“Actually to be fair and be honest with my people what they are requesting from the ministry is huge and big and you cannot do the job within one day, the rain season and we know that our state is going through lot of challenges but I hope that we will do some of the jobs but not in one day, we will go step by step putting their issues in our concern as the ministry”, she added.
Chuol Makwach director general for state ministry of physical infrastructure, urban development and natural resources said the state government has an emergency plan to build internal roads and provide clean water to all those living in Bentiu.
He added that a big road building will begin in November.
(ST)