Lainya County of Central Equatoria State on Tuesday evening launched its first-ever solar power system in the town.
Lainya County is experiencing solar-powered street lights for the first time in its history. Changes in local government structures and appointment of capable leaders are attributed to the positive changes sweeping across Lainya.
The solar-powered street lighting system launched in the town is one such project.
Speaking to the press yesterday, the Commissioner of Lainya County, Emmanuel Khemis Richard, revealed that the project is fully funded by the county government.
“I want to announce the lighting up of Lainya town, and this is a project funded by the Lainya County Local Government Council. We are doing the testing. As you can see in the background, there is electricity in the town,” Khamis explained.
Residents of Lainya town expressed their joy upon the installation of the solar power system and applauded the work of the local government under the leadership of Emmanuel Khemis Richard. They said the commissioner had won the hearts of many residents.
Commissioner Khemis, however, reiterates that providing solar-powered lighting systems for the entire Lainya County is part of projects that represent the local government’s practical priority policy of ‘taking towns to the people’.
“This is going to be a continuous project that will be lighting up the entire Lainya County, and we will also move on to all the five payam headquarters. Therefore, for those who are doubting outside there, we are moving on by taking the towns to the people,” Khamis affirmed.
Lainya County becomes the second county in the state after Juba County to have solar-powered street lights in the town.
Lainya County becomes the fastest developing county after the 2016 conflict in South Sudan. With such projects, hope can be restored among many South Sudanese who fled for their safety to live in refugee camps in parts of northern Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central Africa Republic.