A lawmaker has decried the lack of infrastructure in Eastern Lakes State, saying the situation has forced his counterparts and ministers to carry out their administrative tasks under trees.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Akec Jong Tokmac, who represents Aluak-Luak and Jier constituencies, said the state lacks basic infrastructure, office tools and stationeries for administrative work, prompting government officials to hold their meetings and discussions under trees. 

“We don't have fixed offices, our offices are under trees,” Tokmac said.

The state lawmaker attributed the insecurity situation in his area to rampant cattle raids, lootings and revenge killings, particularly among the youth.

The legislator pointed out that the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) conducted an assessment of the situation way back, but there is no positive outcome so far.

He urged his fellow MPs to be patient and contribute to the development and reconstruction of the state individually.

After President Salva Kiir’s decrees dividing up South Sudan’s states and counties into smaller units, many state and county governments are left without budgets, equipment or sometimes even offices or vehicles for their ministers and legislators.

The former Lakes State had been divided into Gok, Western Lakes and Eastern Lakes States in October 2015.