Western Equatoria State Governor, Lt. Gen. Alfred Futuyo Karaba, reflected on his leadership over nearly five years in office and emphasized the role of community involvement in the state’s development.
Appointed in June 2020 under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, Governor Futuyo was selected as part of a power-sharing arrangement with President Salva Kiir. He is a senior member of the opposition SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
In a press briefing at the State Secretariat in Yambio town on Wednesday, Governor Futuyo reflected on his leadership journey in Western Equatoria and the vital role of community involvement in the state’s development.
During his speech, Governor Futuyo emphasized that effective leadership is about vision and critical thinking, rather than academic credentials. “I have led this state for five years without a certificate, yet I have outperformed those with degrees,” he said.
“Leadership is a gift from God, and I have demonstrated the ability to govern effectively. No governor in Western Equatoria has ever completed more than five years in office,” he added.
Governor Futuyo urged the people of Western Equatoria to become more actively involved in improving the state’s education sector. He called on local communities to contribute by raising funds and utilizing the state’s natural resources, such as water, trees, and sand, to support education.
He assured citizens that the state government would provide additional assistance once these grassroots efforts were underway.
“I encourage every payam to contribute to the education sector,” Futuyo stated. “We have natural resources like water, trees, and sand, which are freely available. The government will step in to support once the community takes the initiative.”
The governor further urged communities to take the lead in building infrastructure, including churches, which he noted are often in disrepair.
“No one will come from elsewhere to build churches for us. Our churches are in ruins, and we should not wait for outsiders to come and fix them. We must take the lead in restoring them and improving our communities,” he said.
In addition to education and infrastructure, Governor Futuyo stressed the importance of local economic initiatives. He encouraged citizens to engage in farming, honey collection, and other small-scale activities to boost the local economy.
He reiterated that true progress could only be achieved when communities took ownership of their development, with the government providing necessary support once these initiatives were in motion.
Governor Futuyo’s remarks come at a critical time for Western Equatoria, as the state continues to face challenges in education and infrastructure. Despite these hurdles, Governor Futuyo remains optimistic, believing that local communities must be the driving force behind development for the state to truly thrive.