Lakes state Governor, citizens voice their opinions
* Article
* Comments (3)
email Email
print Print
pdfSave
separation
increase
decrease
separation
separation
*
*
*
*
By Manyang Mayom
May 13, 2011 (RUMBEK) - The governor of Lakes state, Chol Tong Mayay,
who was elected in 2010, has came under heavy criticism from Lakes
state youth both in South Sudan and the Diaspora. The governor is
criticised for not tackling insecurity, the lack of infrastructure,
high unemployment rates and absence of a well equipped hospital.
JPEG - 74.7 kb
Lakes state governor Chol Tong Mayay (photo by Manyang Mayom)
Shadarch Maper Adong, a student from the state said that “there are no
social services being rendered to the people. There is no electricity
in the state capital.” He also accused politicians in the state of
“serving their own interests” and decried the “taxing of local
communities who have no source of incomes”.
According to another student, James Molana Kok, “the rule of the
ex-governor, Daniel Awet Akot and the newly elected governor Chol Tong
Mayay are very different. […] Governor Chol is failing us in terms of
insecurity in the state”. Kok went on to describe several crimes for
which “nobody has been arrested till today”. He saw cattle rustling as
a key issue, for example, in a recent incident in Cueibet, Chol
“failed to visit the area”.
Kok lauded Chol’s renovation of the state house but was concerned
about the level of corruption in the state.
Francis Kau, from Lakes, now studying in Kampala blames the state’s
journalist who report on issues with a "lack of journalistic ethical
standards” and "lack impartiality".
Peter Thon Kuotwel said that the “ex-Governor Daniel Awet Akot was
always in the field when any incident that took place. When we come to
the current government, led by governor Chol Tong, I am sorry I can
not describe what I know about him.”
Mayor Lueth, a student in Australia defended Governor Chol, saying
compared to the rule of the ex-governors, John Lat Zacheria and Daniel
Awet, he is an improvement. Lueth believes Chol has aided the
development of the state.
The caretaker of ex-governor Telar Ring Deng, said Deng had done a
great deal to clean up Rumbek town and established a pricing system
for good which allowed citizens to buy food at a reduced price. He
also established a scheme which allows farmers to sell their goods tax
free.
Since his appointment Chol, has renovated the State house, guest
house, the state secretarial general offices, and the police offices.
He also brought 12 patrol cars to the state.
Since Rumbek was recaptured in 1997 from the Sudan Armed Forces of
north Sudan by Sudan People’s Liberation Army the state has seen
little development, whereas the seat of government – Central Equatoria
state, is receiving a great deal of investment.
Mark Ochieng Maker, from Lakes said “I know our people very well,
although you give them the good service, they will still blame you.”
Jacob Dior, another resident, blamed “the people in power” and “old
people” who he blamed for glorifying the past. He felt the danger
inherent in this was that it could lead the next generation into
conflict, to become heroes like their forefathers.
(ST)
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD
info" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
