Ibba and Maridi counties of Western Equatoria state on Tuesday allocated two square kilometers each along their mutual border to build a headquarters for the proposed Maridi state.

The agreement was made after two days of dialogue between the communities which brought together paramount chiefs, sub chiefs, headmen, elders, women leaders, youth, and commissioners at Civicon Guest House in Maridi.

Chairperson of the committee overseeing the process Owudada Daniel says the land will be used to construct a state capital and headquarters.

Owudada said the next step is to open roads and carry out feasibility studies in the site given on how to compensate and relocate residents who are residing in the land given.

Paramount chief of Ibba County Marona Sako Fastino welcomed the move by thanking President Salva Kiir for creating Maridi state. He also thanked the appointed Maridi governor for taking town to the village. He says people of Maridi state should stop conflict among them and have peace for the development of the state. 

Paramount chief of Maridi County James Bakindo said since 2005 Maridi and Ibba had an unresolved border dispute and further border issues would delay the work of the state. He cautioned that the agreement for building the state headquarters does not yet solve the border dispute.