By: Chol D. Johnson
Some of the residents in Jonglei State have criticized the government’s decision to create more administrative units.
Their concern followed the recent order from the governor of Jonglei State, Dr. Riek Gai Kok, creating new payams and bomas such as Pawuoi Payam, Chueikeer Payam.
The stakeholders as well as members of the public claimed that the current economic situation and instability are not favourable for such a decision.
According to the residents, the current administrative units continue to face several challenges; hence, adding more numbers is like adding more challenges.
In an interview with this outlet on Friday, Jonglei state activist Mr. Bol Deng appealed to the government to reverse the decision.
He appealed to the government of Jonglei State to reprioritize service delivery to the creation of more units.
However, in several cases some Jonglei officials and those at the national level continue to support the initiative, claiming that it is part of development.
Some expressed that it is part of the vision of the late Dr. John Garang that focuses on taking services near to the people.
“The creation of administrated units comes with a lot of responsibilities; whether it’s a payam or a boma, there have to be resources that local people will use to sustain their new administration, including their leadership,” he said.
“Currently the state government is struggling Just as with the communities, this local administration will need resources that are not in place right now, but they are being created to better give services to the people, he added.
He urged the government to look into crucial issues that affect communities.
Meanwhile, the former commissioner of Twic East County, Mr. Atem Duot Atem, criticized the legality of the creation of counties.
“Basically, in local government (Act) the county must be from three to four or five payams; having tens or twenty payams is not legal in the constitution.” Atem said.
“For me this is not the time to create administrative units; where is the budget?” he questioned.
He admitted that some counties with less payams and with the necessary budget and population can get more units; however, it is not necessary just to create
Duot revealed that the creation of a new administrative unit causes broad disputes and conflicts among the neighboring communities in Duk County, Ayot County, and Uror and Duk counties.
He urged the youth not to be used as the tool for destruction but to prioritize agriculture as the main means of production to develop the country.
Aluel Garang Awuol welcomed the creation of more administrative units, adding that it will encourage people to work hard and better their areas.
“Having more Bomas or payams encourages people to work hard to develop the communities,” she said.