Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore on Monday donated SSP 8 million, 17 Motorbikes, and 8 drums of petrol to the SPLM party secretariat in Eastern Equatoria State.
According to the governor, the donation is to facilitate the registration of party members, and each county will receive SSP 1 million, motorbikes, and a drum of petrol.
“Every county will also have SSP 1 million so that if there is a need for communication or if the people going to register party members need water, they can help themselves. Other leaders from the counties, parliamentarians, and other supporters like the businessmen should also make contributions,” Lobong said. “These motorbikes are easy to use. Some people might say why not vehicles but cars have many problems and our roads are not good. There are places where vehicles cannot reach but the motorcycle can. We want to register our members to endorse our chairperson, Comrade Salva Kiir and for the elections,” he added.
For his part, German Charles Ojok, the SPLM’s state secretary general, acknowledged receipt of the donation and thanked Governor Lobong who is the party’s state chairperson.
“This is a person (Lobong) who loves the party and the youth of Eastern Equatoria State and South Sudan,” he said. “He decided that party work should continue at all levels because, without transport, county secretariats will face challenges reaching the people.”
“That is why he thought it wise to use his own money to bring these motorbikes and we want to thank him,” Ojok added.
Meanwhile, Oryem Emmanuel, a civil society activist, the forthcoming elections should not divert the parties away from prioritizing service delivery.
“Let us also think about the situation of our citizens in the state. We do not have food to eat and inflation has destroyed the whole nation,” he charged. “This issue of elections should not overtake the needs of the civil servants and public which need to be addressed.”
For her part, Angelina Bernandhino Lowii, a women’s activist, welcomed the governor’s donation to the SPLM but appealed to Lobong to treat all parties equally.