Western Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Sarah Cleto will have to think harder on how to address the challenges facing the state after MPs rejected a new Policy Statement she presented before the House.
The rejection on Monday came during the reopening of the assembly’s second session in ordinary sitting No: 1.
The state MPs asserted that the Policy Statement contained no achievement while offering more challenges.
The members said they noted that the previous Policy Statement prioritized solving Wau County’s problems, which the current statement did not give a mention.
SPLM’s Agui Athuai Agui said the Governor’s Policy Statement had put the House in a dilemma over Wau’s problems.
The members called on the state government to collaborate with partners to reconcile the farmers and the cattle keepers, in order to promote harmonious coexistence.
Luciano Thomas (SPLM) questioned the Governor’s strategy for the harmonious coexistence between the farmers and the cattle keepers in the state.
James Giir Wol (SPLM) questioned the Governor’s handling of the Clement Mboro Bridge project. The House clarified that the bridge was a donation from China to South Sudan.
Wol pointed out that the previous Policy Statement mentioned the inauguration of 10 police stations, but the current one referred to only six.
Joseph Mawut from the Democratic Party (DC) also questioned the Governor’s statement on the 10 police stations in the state.
The members also raised concerns about the absence of details on the local revenue collection and their use in the state policy. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the management of local revenues.
Vivana Luis from (SSOA) raised concerns about the feeder roads within the town of Wau, which were being ruined by the poor drainage, which also flooded the residential areas.
The House suggested that the Policy Statement be returned to the Governor for amendment.
The Governor stated that she would not directly respond to the House’s concerns. She, however, acknowledged the importance of their remarks and assured them that the executive would provide key points and detailed information through the ministers during the assembly sessions.
Cleto blamed the poor performances of the state government on the high influx of returnees and refuges from Sudan.
“We still have challenges to overcome. We have been receiving an influx of returnees and refugees, that has burdened the host communities. Families were going through a tough time with prices soaring in the market,” she said.