S. Sudan’s VP launches Yei River state development plan
April 15, 2016 (KAMPALA) – The South Sudanese vice president James Wani Igga launched on Thursday a five year strategic development plan for Yei River state.
The Centre for Democracy Initiative-South Sudan produced the 97-page plan, with support from Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA).
The strategy looks at ways to improve education, health, agriculture, rural water and sanitation, revenue generation, infrastructure, public works, social development and youth empowerment initiatives, among other interventions.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, the vice-president appreciated the county’s efforts towards enhancing development through the participation of its citizens. Igga said it was high time people made maximum use of the soil and not solely depend on oil.
“You might have known that our oil production has dropped drastically due to the conflict and changes in the global markets. With this plan, I think it’s an eye opener for us to empower our selves through agriculture,” he said.
He called on the population in Yei River state to consider agricultural production in the areas of food and coffee production as a top priority for the county to generate revenue for the sustainability of its development plans.
“Earlier, there was a directive that people in the executive including the Governors to cultivate at least 100 fedans of land to fight food insecurity. Now we want the commissioners to make maximum implementation of this project so that our revenue base is boosted,” Igga stressed.
He advised the locals to focus on other revenue generating sources, citing mineral resources such as gold and diamond.
The vice-president also appealed to the population to fully support efforts to implement the peace deal signed between government and the armed opposition last year.
“People asked me why I have given up your position to Riek Machar? I told them that I stepped down for the interest of peace, unity and development of the nation,” he added.
According to the vice president, formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity will end suffering of people.
Igga further urged South Sudanese to open a new page for reconciliation, peace and stability for development. He however warned South Sudanese against tribalism and nepotism, saying it retards unity and the country’s development.
“The issue of tribalism, if we South Sudanese cannot burry tribalism then tribalism will bury us. We must tribalism,” he said, while strongly speaking against nepotism practices.
The Governor of Yei River state, David Lokonga said his government was fully committed to support implementation of the development plan and called on the population to embrace agriculture as a gateway for development.
“I want all the ministries to cooperate and work hard towards implementation of development plans,” he said, warning that any minister who cannot perform to the expectation of the citizens will be removed and replaced.
Paul Yuwani Bonju, an area lawmaker, appealed to the vice president to increase on the budget allocation meant for development and service delivery for the people of Yei.
“If we need to see that this plan we are launching today becomes a reality, we need the national government to increase the budget allocation for Yei River state,” he said.
The Yei River county commissioner, Samuel Henry Malimbo said the plan requires collective support from different levels of government and its development partners.
(ST)