By Louis Loku
Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony has concluded a 12-day working tour of Lainya, Yei, Morobo counties and Wundura Administrative Area, pledging to address challenges raised by communities while calling for peace and greater participation in the December elections.
The governor said the tour, undertaken on the directive of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, was aimed at listening to communities, assessing their needs and engaging directly with local authorities and citizens.
Governor Adil said communities raised concerns including healthcare, education, roads, security, the return of displaced people, youth support, and economic development.
During the tour, the governor commissioned the Aggrey Jaden Memorial Secondary School in Lainya, opened the Lainya County Women’s Association Centre and Lainya Seed Bank, and unveiled the Gumbura statue in honour of the area’s heritage.
He also inspected Lainya Hospital and announced the upgrading of its health centre to a County Rural Hospital.
In Yei River County, Governor Adil witnessed the inauguration of the University of Yei by Vice President James Wani Igga and inspected the community-funded Kanjoro Bridge.
The governor also announced plans to upgrade Yei Day Secondary School to a day-and-boarding school and to elevate Yei Civil Hospital to a regional referral hospital.
In Morobo, Governor Adil inaugurated the Central Market for women entrepreneurs, inspected Morobo Hospital, and donated SSP 50 million toward the construction of Umbachi Primary School.
He further committed to upgrading Kanyara Secondary School with boarding and vocational facilities and called for the reopening of Kimba Secondary School, saying insecurity was affecting aid and development in the area.
In Wunduruba, the community submitted a memorandum highlighting concerns over healthcare, maternal services, education, youth support, and the reintegration of returnees.
The governor also raised concerns over ongoing illegal mining in the area and gave assurance to residents that the government would direct the Mining Authority to investigate the matter, enforce mining laws and ensure mining activities are properly licensed.
He directed artisanal and other miners operating in Wunduruba and across Central Equatoria State to register with the Mining Authority and obtain the necessary licenses.
Governor Adil said Central Equatoria would work with counterparts in Koboko and Uganda to strengthen cross-border security, fight smuggling and develop a wider framework for cooperation with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He also called on armed groups still outside the peace process to abandon conflict and join the peace efforts.
“We do not need conflict. We want free movement for our people,” the governor said.
As South Sudan prepares for the December 2026 elections, Governor Adil urged citizens to register and participate in the electoral process, saying peaceful participation would strengthen the state and country.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to rehabilitating roads, improving healthcare, strengthening education, and supporting communities.
“Peace is possible. Development follows peace. Central Equatoria will have both,” Governor Adil said.