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JUBA - 6 Mar 2021

Central Equatoria citizens demand services as new govt is sworn in

Citizens of Central Equatoria State said that there should not be room for laxity in the new state government, saying service delivery should be prioritized.

The citizens spoke to Radio Tamazuj shortly after the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed state government officials in Juba on Wednesday.

The officials include advisors, cabinet ministers, county commissioners and members of the independent commissions. The reconstituted state government represents the various parties to the revitalized peace agreement.

Gaga Frank, a resident of Yei River County, said he expects the new state government to provide basic services at the grassroots level and maintain law and order.

"We need these leaders to put into their minds that there is a need for stabilization of security in all the counties, payams and bomas, and we also expect them to deliver services and the community also expects development programs," Frank said.

Yeka Joel, a resident of Morobo County, urges the newly appointed government officials to promote peace and rehabilitate roods in all the counties.

 "We want peace, reconciliation and unity among all the ministers and the county commissioners, and we also expect the roads to be maintained. For example, the Yei-Morobo road is completely bad, so it needs to be rehabilitated," he said.

Roda Kiden, a resident of Lainya County, called on the new government to focus on the provision of clean drinking water and rehabilitation of health care centres in the rural areas.

 "My demand is that water and health facilities need to be extended to the rural areas because many people die because there are no good medical services and trained medical workers there," Kiden said.

Meanwhile, Kenyi Tete, a former paramount chief in Kajo-Keji County called on the cabinet ministers and county commissioners to consider development at the local level.

"The roads are completely in bad shape and during rainy seasons, people suffer because all the roads are blocked. So, the government should use the dry season to rehabilitate the roads connecting Kajo-Keji to Juba and other payams in Kajo-Keji County," he said.

Speaking after the swearing-in of the new government, Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony directed all the newly appointed state ministers and county commissioners to prioritize service delivery to the local population.

"The expectations of our people are very high starting with the need for peace, infrastructural rehabilitation programs on schools, health facilities and roads. And I want all ministers to take the lead on this. All of you the ministers and other government officials of the state, I want all of you to be action-oriented because our people are suffering across all the counties," Adil said.

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