Three new commissioners for Yei River, Lainya and Morobo counties in Central Equatoria State were sworn into office on Monday afternoon at a ceremony presided over by Governor Augustino Jadallah Wani.
Last week, President Salva Kiir Mayardit relieved the commissioners of the three counties of their duties and appointed Emmanuel Taban Seme, for Yei River County, Robert John Morris Lasu, for Lainya, and Charles Tata Bullen for Morobo.
Speaking during the ceremony at the State Secretariat in Juba, Governor Wani called on the commissioners to ensure security in their counties and open their office doors to the public.
“There are a lot of issues that you are going to face. For you to be comfortable in your office, make sure the security in your area is stable in all aspects. There are issues of cattle raids, the holdout groups, and environmental challenges because there is too much rain causing displacement,” Wani said.
He also called on the commissioners to unite the various communities.
“You have to work towards the unity of your people. Unity is very important as our social fabric is tattered and you have to be easy and flexible to let the people access your office,” he said.
Wani also called on the commissioners to open the civic space for any political parties, stressing the importance of democracy in the country.
He revealed plans to replace the Commissioner for Kajo-Keji County, Panuel Dumo, who has been unwell and has requested to quit.
Central Equatoria State Parliament Speaker Peter Elia Wani called on the commissioners to work towards security and provide services to the people.
“What we want from you is to deliver services to your people; the three counties have been greatly affected by the war that has forced many out. It is your turn now to provide security and development and make our people come back from the refugee camps,” he said.
The new Yei River County Commissioner Seme called for support from the Governor to provide security.
“It is high time for us to make our people rest. It is only in Equatoria and particularly the Central Equatoria where the civilians were still suffering. What we want from you (governor Wani) is the support, especially in terms of security. If you manage to calm the situation in the counties, you will sleep at night, otherwise you will be restless” he said.