Juba-based members of the Gogrial community met on Friday to discuss plans for setting up the new 'Gogrial State' in accordance with the Establishment Order issued by President Salva Kiir.

Gogrial will be one of three states carved out from the current Warrap State once the decree takes effect within 30 days from the date of issuance. The Establishment Order is dated 2 October.

A member of the community who attended the meeting at Yam Hotel near Dar Petroleum in Juba told Radio Tamazuj that the agenda for the meeting included how to express appreciation to President Kiir for establishing Gogrial as a new state.

Jieng Council of Elders leader Ambrose Riiny Thiink attended the meeting and thanked the president for ordering the creation of 28 states, which he said is in line with the SPLM vision of taking towns to the people. But he denied that the Jieng Council of Elders was behind the creation of 28 states.

The other agenda items were counties distribution and discussion of who will be the governor. During the meeting it was suggested that the current payams be upgraded to the status of counties.

Others who attended were Hon. Duwar Deng, Hon. Atong Bak Nyang, Gen. Agasio Akol Tong, Lodoviko Lual Aken, Hon. Lual Achuil, Hon. Kuot Deng Reeng, Gen. Mathok Gengdit, Martin Majut Yak, Thiik Thiik Mayardit, and Gen. Gregory Thiepdit Akol, among others.

File photo: Akon North village, Warrap State (Creative Commons License/Flickr/hypermobility)