As hundreds of residents of Ikotos County in Eastern Equatoria State cheerfully welcomed their new Commissioner Timon Ohisa Lolori on Monday, they voiced their demands for improved security and essential services under the new leadership.
Lilly Faida, an inhabitant of the Losihere residential area in Ikotos town, told Radio Tamazuj that the pressing issues affecting their community include the alarming occurrences of road ambushes, looting, and killings.
“Citizens should stand strong towards working with the new commissioner for improved service delivery, better roads, and ending ambushing, looting, and killing of innocent civilians on the roads,” she said. “These criminals should be apprehended and guided towards a path of righteousness. They must cease their harmful activities.”
“Additionally, the issue of telecommunications networks is of paramount importance as there is no connectivity in certain villages like Chaharii, Lotome, and Lofus,” Faida added.
She said it is imperative to establish a telephone network in these areas to facilitate information sharing.
Another Ikotos town resident, George Khamis Jacob, stressed the importance of peace in the region and called for the deployment of armed forces to hotspot areas to combat insecurity.
“We earnestly appeal to the new commissioner to usher in a new era of peace in Ikotos. He should gather the youth of Ikotos and engage them in discussions to dissuade them from engaging in criminal activities,” he urged. “Furthermore, our focus should extend to churches and schools. In regions devoid of educational institutions, such as Chahari and Logir, our new commissioner should take the initiative to construct schools.”
Khamis added: “Equally crucial is the enhancement of security throughout the county and safeguarding our people from harm along the roads and the commissioner has a pivotal role to play in fortifying our county’s security.”
For her part, Juan Ihiju Peter, who lives in Hai Mairo in Ikotos town, emphasized the urgent need for essential services in numerous villages in the county.
“Our commissioner must extend his reach to areas where schools are absent and take the initiative to construct schools and churches in smaller villages, thereby fostering an environment of peace and prosperity,” she said. “While some regions have places of worship, others do not, and the unfortunate reality is that people are falling victim to ambushes and violence along the roads. The new commissioner must bring about a transformation.”
Meanwhile, Ayime Edward, another Ikotos inhabitant, cautioned the youth against engaging in criminal activities and urged for collaborative efforts to restore security.
“Our commissioner must become a symbol of peace, uniting our communities in the face of numerous challenges such as road incidents, looting, robberies, and violence,” he counseled. “This calls for an extensive outreach program, reaching every payam to advocate for peace. Cooperation between the commissioner and the communities is vital, especially when it comes to dissuading the youth from unlawful acts.”
Commissioner Timon Loboi Lolori acknowledged the formidable challenges confronting Ikotos County. He made a solemn pledge to work tirelessly toward peace and unity which he said he considers fundamental to enhancing service delivery.
“My mission is to serve the community. Ikotos County has witnessed numerous conflicts, including inter-tribal disputes. First and foremost, we must foster harmony among our people, for without peace, progress remains elusive,” he stated. “The education of our children is at stake, as is the well-being of our entire community. The inter-tribal conflict has plagued Ikotos for too long, and it falls upon me to ensure that peace prevails in our beloved county.”