The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State government on Monday started the allocation of 15 brand new 5-door Toyota LandCruiser 70 and Hilux Double Cabin vehicles which were purchased from Juba.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, the state’s minister of cabinet of affairs, Sebastiano Uchen, declined to reveal the cost but said the cars were bought using revenues generated locally in the state.
“Our 15 cars including the one for the deputy governor arrived here (Aweil) more than a week ago and we have been waiting for the distribution,” he said. “The distribution took place yesterday (Monday) in the presence of the state secretary general because he is responsible for staff in matters related with state ministers and the state government.”
For her part, Peacebuilding Minister Abuor Gordon Nhial confirmed that her ministry received a brand new vehicle and said it will facilitate her movement to grassroots areas to ensure the problems of the people there are addressed. She also said she will tour all the areas along the border with Sudan.
“My Director-General has successfully received the brand new car on Monday and drove it today,” she said. “I will now be able to visit borderlands to address challenges there and I will be ready anytime to go out day or night.”
However, the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission of Conflict Resolution, Atong Leek, said all the independent commissions in the state did not receive any of the new vehicles from Governor Tong Akeen Ngor.
“All the independent commissions did not receive any car,” she said. “Although it was reported that the number of the cars was 19, none of us has received a car because the governor does not consider us (independent commissions) part of the government.”