Radio Miraya
2836: NW. Central Equatoria state tour by Governor and Officials
(upbeat music) - Nationwide, we bring you latest current issues, discussions and information. Nationwide on Radio Miraya. - Hello and good evening. Welcome to Nationwide discussion. My name is Lucy Kidan. Now, today we look at discussions from the states and our focus is central equatoria. A change of leadership took place in May this year when Governor Augustino-Jadala was appointed replacing former governor Emmanuel Adio of close to five years since June 2020. So in 2015, Governor Augustino-Jadala served as the governor of Dubix State and he was the first and only governor of the state at the time. And that was until the reversion from 32 states back to 10 states. And so before that he was deputy minister of interior and wildlife conservation. And so today our focus will be the recent state tour by the governor. He together with a select team first visited Lania County, then went to Wonduruba Administrative Payam, Yay River State, Morobo and Kajukiji States and then returned to Wonduruba after the incident of October 10. So joining me now to give a detailed account of the tour, its purpose, findings, outcomes and future interventions is a Honorable Lili Kapoorke who is minister for Agriculture Central Equatoria State. Honorable Lili, you are welcome. - Thank you. - And then we have Honorable Jacob Aligola. Do the chief whip of the Central Equatoria State Legislative Assembly. You're welcome, Honorable Aligua. - Thank you, Lucy. - Yes, now both I guess were part of the tour. And so you are welcome to join the discussion by texting or calling these numbers, 0-9-1-2-0-6-7-8-7-9 or 0-9-1-2-0-6-7-9-2-9 or 0-9-1-2-0-6-8-1-0-1. There will be an opportunity for you to call, so take note of those numbers and that will be later during the discussion. Although you can immediately text him when you have a thought to share on 0-9-1-2-1-7-7-1-4-1. Okay, so now diving into the discussion. First off, you are both part of this tour. I want you to briefly share your experience in regards to the tour. Had you been to these places before? Was it your first time? Was there some changes you noticed? And let me start with you, Honorable Aligo. - Thank you. Good evening, listeners of Roger Miraya. First of all, I want to take this opportunity to thank the administration of Miraya FM, or the management of Miraya FM for giving us this opportunity to come and share with the public the trip of his excellency, in general of Sinajidala, Wani, to the counties of Lania, Yay, River, Morobo, Kajukaji, and Wundruba, administrative areas. First of all, apart from Wundruba administrative areas, I know all the areas that the government visited because I was a minister during the 32 states and I was also a political advisor to the governor of the Fungi River State, and we've been moving in those areas during the difficult time of the conflict, so they are not new areas to me. - Okay, what was your impression of Wundruba? - My impression of Wundruba was that when we were first, when they were on the eight, were received by jubilant citizens, who were standing by the roadside waving, lifts and you letting the mood was that one of celebration as they received a new governor, a person who has been one of the greatest vibrators of our country, and so his visit was warmly welcome and the people who were happy. - Okay. - And all of us were very happy. - Yes. - That's the impression that I got from Wundruba on the eight. - Okay, thank you. And Lili, what was yours? - Thank you very much. Also, I want to extend the gratitude to my F.M. for us to be here today. Indeed, it was a joyful and also heartbreaking visit. - Yes. - But on and all, we are very happy. For a long time, I was in the previous governments before the war broke out. Yay, Laniya, Morobo, Wundruba, and also Kajikkeji was full of life. - Yes. - But what we saw is the structure, but this is war for us. That's why we are saying, let us impress peace. With peace, our people will be in total harmony, in total, lively. When you see the children that are there and there is no schools, as a woman, it's really touching. But we are very happy with the bold decision of our governor to visit these counties in this time. Very difficult time, raining season, but it was a very hundred percent we supported it. - Okay, and I understand you traveled by road. How was that experience? You talk about the rain season and the destruction. How was that experience for you? - It was very good for us as a team because we can see our villages, we can see our people, we can interact, and we can really feel their pain, we can really see also they will be happy with us that we really want to feel the same pain that they are going through. It was good in that even though we went through difficulties on the road, but we were happy. - Okay, were you able to interact with any particular person and do you remember what the interaction was? - Just one case. - Yes, there is a woman, what she said. If we can extend the message to the president, they only want peace, they want to return to their homes, and they want to build their lives. - Wow, thank you for sharing that. What about you, Honorable Jakob Eligo? Why are you able to interact with the communities and which one specifically stood out for you? - Okay, thank you very much. First of all, I just want to give my impression of the four counties after speaking about Wunbuba. I've been visiting here frequently, that's my hometown. Morrible, I was last there in 2019. Kajukiji was there in 2019, before the peace agreement was signed. After it was signed, of course, in 2018, and then I've been there again in 2023, and April this year and this time. So I've frequented Kajukiji. My impression. One, that the conflict has devastated that part of our country. The rural areas, I deserted. You hardly get people on the road. No structure standing with a few that are built using corrugated iron sheets, but they are in the bushes. The third impression is the state of the roads. The roads are in a sorrowful nature. They are very, very, very poor. Right from Juba to Kaya, where we also visited. The road is terrible. And they say, this is the road going to heaven. They say the road going to heaven is very difficult. The road is so difficult. The counties visited force within the green belt. And there are areas of agricultural protection. I think my colleague here will shed more life because he's the relevant minister in that field. People are producing despite the challenges of the conflict. They have never abandoned their farming activities and they are producing. We enjoy organic food throughout, but also they lack market because of the condition of the roads. And that one gives me the impression that this area needs to be given attention by our national government. Because if these areas are connected with good road network, these areas will contribute positively to the economy of this country. And it will also mitigate our dependence on foreign imported food items. Because the food is there. The thing of all the things that are coming from Uganda, you find them in those areas. Only they need the road so that they can even get this produce to the markets in places like Juba. Okay. My fourth impression is the problem. The yearning of the people's purpose is so enormous. It's very amazing. Wherever or area, whichever area we visited, the demand of the citizens is peace. They are demanding for peace. The calls for peace are very, very strong. And as my colleagues said, when we visited Wunderuba, after we left on the 8th, two days down the road, a nasty incident happened. Where ten young people were slain in cold blood with others injured. We went to Morobo. We celebrated where we went to Kaji Kaji on our way. The executive director who was in the center of the organization of the visit died a sudden death. Oh dear. We went to Kaji Kaji. We returned from Kaji Kaji on the 16th. On arrival, as we stopped at the state secretariat, the news emanated of killing of three young people in Kaji Kaji. In the area, even where we spent the night. So these are some of the sad part of our journey with this excellence, the governor. The fifth impression that I had is the bravery of the governor to trouble by road. I calculated the distance was 514 miles apart from other minor movements. Through rough roads, in one point when we are moving from Kaji Kaji, from Morobo to Kaji Kaji, at a certain point we got stuck for three good hours, in an area called Candila. And traveling from Kaji Kaji to Morobo to Kaji Kaji, he used to be maybe one and a half hour. We only had a brief stop in a place called Panyumewa, the I/O station because the governor had to address the few citizens and the army that were there. But the whole journey took us 10 hours. One and a half to 10 hours. Yes, from one and a half hour to 10 hours. So this defines the conditions of the roads there. On our return, because we also, from Kaji Kaji, directed to Kaji, it took us 12 hours. And that could be a journey of maybe two or two and a half hours. But this time it took us 12 hours. So this comes back to what I said about the issue of the condition of the road. Wow. Especially from Morobo to Kaji, this have. Okay. And now coming to Wonderuba, I'd like to touch on it specifically. When you had to visit Wonderuba twice. The first time, and then go back after that incident that had 10 people killed and many injured. What was your observation, the mood, what were the people saying? It was a very painful scene. Because when we visited Wonderuba on the 8th, the mood was that one of celebration. Women and children were standing by the roadside, waving, lifts. Women are mutilating. But on our return, the total opposite happened. It was a sad mood. The women, the children who greeted us with the tribulation that the tribulation turned into sorrow. So the welcome change from elation to shading of tears. That was the most sad part. Actually, when we disembarked from our vehicles, as we head to where the Communists have gathered to be addressed by the Governor, you can only hear the footsteps. But everybody was with a drooping head. People are shading tears. It was a very painful experience. And I wish some of us have got the powers to end this conflict. Which are people paying the highest price innocently? Thank you for sharing a wonderful, wonderful lily. Looking at the incident that happened in Wonderuba, you said you spoke to some people, you interacted with the community. What were your impressions? Of course, it's very sort of an incident. As women, these are young children. Of course, mostly people who are affected are women. I mean in South Sudan, women give birth. And then later on, they use to be fuel for war. So if there is people who are affected, first was with the women. Number two, they were packing. They are living to the bushes. When we came the first time on the eight, they were joyful. And actually now they want to settle and they want to embark in agriculture. Even they show us the production. What were some of the fruits being produced there? The great fruits, tomatoes, they have... Partial. Partial, and then they have yams, barfra, a lot of produce. But when we were coming in the second time, they were living. They were living with their children and their backs. They are living in the town of Ondroba. And it's really a set to see that women in South Sudan now have no rest. It's from war to war and from fleeing to the forest to another forest into the neighboring countries. As women, we wish really that this war must be end. Because this is our generation, the future of South Sudan is now in the dilemma. And it's really painful. So this is the impression that I saw. Okay, thank you for sharing this really sorrowful experience that you had. But also you had two sides of the story. You had a point where there was so much joy. And then you were able to also notice that despite the hardships, the people were settling. They were calling for peace, but tending to their farms and trying to rebuild their lives. And then the Ondroba incident happens and you go back and see that they are being redisplaced and all that. And you've highlighted some key points as the issues to do with the bad roads, the issues to do with deserted areas, structures having been destroyed. And then there are only makeshift structures in the bushes. So that means the infrastructure is definitely poor. And then the yearn for peace, the cry for peace among the people. And what do you say that the purpose for this tour was achieved with your visit to these? These were five, four counties and one administrative by them. Of course, we'll talk about Terque Calita. Would you say that the purpose for this tour was achieved? Thank you. First, before stating the way that the purpose has been achieved to or not, the objectives of this visit by the governor are almost three or four. One, the governor had warned to acquaint himself with the general situation of the citizens in those areas he visited. And the second objective is to assess the general security situation and the safety of the citizens. Because security stabilization and the issues of peace tops his government's priority. So the governor also had warned to make sure he inspect the conditions of the forces on the ground, including those in the containment areas in case of the especially I/O and how they relate to the civil population. The other third objective is the governor also want to acquaint himself with the challenges of service delivery in those areas. That's why in his delegation were relevant ministers, including my colleagues sitting here with us, the means of agriculture, forestry and environment, the means of education and instruction, the means of health, the means of peace building and the means of roads and bridges. The governor deliberately picked these ministers for purpose. First on the issues of service delivery and the issue of agriculture because he picked agriculture as one of his top priorities. Yes. And then of course the means of road have to see the nature of the road, especially those words that force within the domain of the state. And one very important purpose of that visit, the governor had been delegated by his excellency, the president of the Republic, General Salva Kirmajajit, to represent him in graduation of 111 students from Immanuel Christian University. That was the first graduation of that university, it used to be a college. So that one, there was a transition from the college to the universities and so that that graduation became the first one. And during that visit, of course, the governor delivered a number of messages from his excellency, the president, and from himself. Yes. Those messages are around the areas of peace and reconciliation and dialogue. The president in his message called upon the people of Central Victoria and the youth in particular to renounce the growing culture of violence. That is not to be the case. And he was urging them to opt for peaceful means of resolving their grievances other than learning, embarking on a war that is very destructive, destroying their land, destroying the future of their own children. Under the president's edge, the citizens of those areas visited by the governor to renounce violence. Secondly, the president appealed to the hold-out groups who were still continuing to fight. That they should use the available peace initiatives, like the Tomahini, which is currently going on in Kenya, where the government, the Republic of South Sudan, and the South Sudan opposition movement's alliance, Soma, is taking place, then negotiating peace. And the president also argued that those who are not yet made their mind should join this process. Or else, let them be encouraged to come to peace through local grassroots peace initiatives, which he said can be conducted under a broader spirit without external influences and where people can easily reach consensus to come out in terms of peace. The president also appealed to the citizens of those areas to embark on developmental activities, like your agriculture, which will be useful for them to guarantee the security for their children, for their families, and also maybe if they can have surplus, they can sell. Those are some of the messages that comes from the president. Thank you very much. And now we're about to go for a break, and then I'll be able to open the lines for you to call in as you're listening. This is a nationwide discussion. However, we're looking at the outcome of the state tour by Governor Augustino Jadala and a team of select officials from central Victoria state government who were able to tour four counties that is Yair River State, Moroboka Jukheji, in Lanya, as well as Wanduruba Administrative Payam. So you can prepare questions. You can start sending in a text message on 091217141. Now, before we go for the break, my question here is given all these observations, but also the messages that you've just stated, calling for the people to unite, to be peaceful, to renounce violence, but also to embark on developmental projects. These are things that cannot be done with insecurity, but also there's needs for support from the government. So what are those interventions that are going to be put in place to ensure that these messages are able to be converted into actions, activities, programs, projects. We could start with the Honorable Lily. Thank you very much. Actually, as a state, I think the local initiative is the one that we can take, because this is a community base through our chiefs, through engagement with families, you know. So maybe this is really, we have seen it happen in Dolo. It's a strong community, engagement that there is a holdout groups camp, and now they are in control of many areas. Also, we have seen it also happen in Morobo. So we want also to see it to happen in other counties. That our brothers, our fathers, our husbands should hear for the calling of the community for peace. So maybe this engagement is now successful in two places, so we hope it will happen in other counties. And in terms of agriculture and development, of course, when you look at these four counties, this is our green belt in Central Equator State. Those are the bread basket of Central Equator State, and even of South Sudan, I will say that. But because of insecurity and the roads from production to markets also is an issue. So I'm calling here the National Government really to help the state government to connect the area of production to the market. Our people are able actually to produce food that can feed South Sudan, especially these four counties of greater EA. This is a green belt and it's three seasons for other crops that take three months. And even they can go on the dry season also, they can produce some of the crops. What specific things would you need the national government to do to support the state government? The first is the establishment of security. It's a national mandate. This is one, number two, we want to see the roads that connect in productive areas to market places. This is very important so that the population can produce it massive. Because now sometimes when they produce, their food will get rotten because they cannot bring it to Cuba. It will take days and some delicate crops like tomatoes and cabbages sometimes will not arrive on time. Then it's a waste. That's why sometimes they opt not to produce it in mass. So really these one are two things. Number two, we want to urge also our partners, especially Fao. And World Bank now is coming up with projects. We want a direct implementation of projects so that it will have more impact than using other NGOs who are not keen to help our people to produce. Also, this is my message to our partners. All right. Thank you very much. Our Honourable League will come to you to speak into that. After the break, stay tuned. We'll be opening the lines after the break. Thank you for tuning in. This is Nationwide. You're listening to Radio Miraya. Nationwide, we bring you latest current issues, discussions and information. Nationwide on Radio Miraya. Yes, welcome back. This is Nationwide discussion hour. We are looking at state discussions and today our focus is central equatoria. And so with a focus on the tour by the governor and officials from the central equatoria government to different counties across the state. Yereva, Morobo, Kajakeji, Lanya, as well as Monduruba administrative Payam. We have Minister of Agriculture, central equatoria state, Lily Kapoorke in the studio. And then we also have Honourable Jacob, Aligo, Lola Duchy for the central equatoria state legislative assembly. If you have a question, you're welcome to ask your question and then you will be able to get an answer. Let's hear from our first caller, Radio Miraya. Yes, we're evening, Lucy Kdern and we're evening to Honourable in the studio. Good evening. What's your name? Andrea Camila, Oam in Padau area. Yes, Andrea, continue. I have the question to both two Honourable in the studio. Central equatoria state has experienced several abduction with in and out is kind of central equatoria state. Which is the main capital city of this country. Whether fully government proof or government security apparatus are there. What is the role to bring the abductors to books? Will they bring some other special books or not? If not, why? Okay. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. We can take one more caller before our guests are able to answer your questions. Let's visit to central equatoria. What were the real problems you saw being faced by the communities over there? And there's one other question here and all right. This one has just been, actually, it's Andrea Camila himself who called in. So let's take one more caller. Radio Miraya, hello. Radio Miraya. Yes, what's your name? Hello, I'm Focke from Nagarambargadar. Yes, go ahead. I greet the guest in the studio and I greet you there. Okay, thank you very much. Go ahead and ask your question. Yes, thank you so much for welcoming. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Hello, I'm Focke from Nagarambargadar. Hello, I'm Focke from Nagarambargadar. Hello, I'm Focke from Nagarambargadar. All right, thank you. We'll be closing the lines now as our guests will be answering these questions. Honorable Allego, you could start with this specific one from Tal Book. The one, oh, this one, the last one. Yes, you can start with the last one. Okay, let's start with the last one. The caller from Nagarambargadar, we're saying Juba is like the whole of South Sudan because all the communities of South Sudan are resident in the area. And why is it that Juba is not secure? Because if Juba is secure, then you'll give confidence to people even in the... In the counties. In the counties or in the states. Yes. Well, it's very difficult to answer this question in regards to why there's this insecurity. Yes, Juba being the capital is supposed to be the most secure part of the country because it hosts the entire leadership of this country. It hosts all the diplomatic missions, UN agencies and international NGOs. And it hosts the government of central Victoria state and indeed Juba is supposed to be the most secure place. Unfortunately, there are a lot of incidences of insecurity. But there are relevant people who are supposed to be answering this because I don't know matters to do with the security. I don't know the implications. So I don't want to venture into that. All right. The second is why should the visit of the governor be followed by violence? Yes. I think there are people who are opposed to the government. There are armed groups. And the visit of the governor is like a challenge. And they want to show that they are also around. So this is, of course, when you are in war and you also want to flex your muscle. This is what I can say to the colleagues. So there's this question about what was the reason behind this incident that took place in Wunderbar. What were the exact findings? Well, when we came to Wunderbar, the citizen spoke. And the security chiefs were traveling with the governor, plus the governor. Agreed that when they returned to Juba, of course, the governor will be presenting a report to the head of the state. And also, we'll together with the security chiefs that will hold, they will have a conversation with the high echelon of the army. Maybe to put the committee to go to the ground to investigate what exactly will happen. Again, I cannot go into details. All right. Because I can pre-produce whatever needs to be done. Okay. The final thing is the issue of why is water expensive in Juba? Yes. I want to talk this one with all the frankness I have. Go ahead. Water is a very strategic commodity. Unfortunately, in South Sudan and in Juba, these commodities is entrusted into the hands of foreigners. And they were living by mercy of God. Because if the people want to harm us, just one drop of a poison can kill thousands. And despite the fact that we have what's called free market, free market is not free. The essence of free market is not the way it is being practiced in South Sudan. And water in other countries is even a water plant is supposed to be a restricted area. Because it's about the lives of people. Okay. So these foreigners have done controlling us. So what is the solution here? The solution is denial is just passing to us. We are not setting our priorities correctly. I won't say this. In 2012, I was a minister of finance for central equal to rest state. We traveled to Turkey. Yes. And negotiated a loan for building a water plant in Juba. What happened? The Xramari. Yes, the exit bank of Turkey approved an initial grant, I mean, of 100 million. But when it came back and sought for sovereign guarantee, we failed to get this from the national government. And the whole thing died off. Secondly, water is supposed to be managed by the local government. Okay. Unfortunately, in Juba. That is not the case. That's not the case. All right. I think this issue of water is huge and we do not have time to delve into it. And maybe we'll set aside a separate time to discuss that. There's one question that I'd like to direct to Honorable Lily. It's a question about the Juba-Kaya Road. It was started. And I know this is very key for your ministry because then it opened a road for business. It started and then it halted half way. There was bush clearance. People were very excited. What happened? Just briefly. Yes. That road is a national competency. National competency is not on the state level. But we hope that the Minister of Road and British National Government is hearing us. We are all learning for that road to be finished and to start. Okay. The people and the agriculture sector is looking forward for that road. All right. Juba-Kaya Road here. Thank you very much. Now, finally, in your last remarks, which you will have to summarize in 30 seconds, I'd like each of you to share just in summary what you're going to do. Because you are all selected specifically to be able to observe certain areas and then provide solutions. So what are some of the things you're going to do in that regard? Honorable Llego. Of course, the governor is in the center of that visit. And he went with this team. Ministers, advisors, members of parliament from both the national and the state assemblies and the chiefs of security. Yes. Definitely all these teams might have made their own observations. And we are expecting that maybe a meeting will be called when people will discuss the way forward. Okay. After all that they have observed during this trip. All right. All right. If that's the case, then share your final message to the public. My final message to the public is that one, as people of the public of South Sudan, we have been in conflict to many, many, many decades. And still we are in war. So in the words of the president, we need to renounce war and opt for peaceful means because this is key for everything that we want. Peace, stability and harmony. Awesome. Thank you very much. Honorable Llego. In 15 seconds. What is your final message? My final message is go to my productive area of greater yay. Counties. That led us back in agriculture. It is necessary and it's vital in this time around. When South Sudan is going through economic hardship. So through agriculture, it is a vision of the Governor transforming agriculture through cooperative societies. So we are looking forward to engage with the people of South Sudan. Thank you very much. And that brings us to the end of nationwide today. Up next we have the news.