A new facility to improve fish processing and storage was commissioned in Bor along a critical supply chain benefiting two communities from Fangak and Jonglei.
The facility is funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) and the United Nations Development Programme.
“The launch of this plant is a historic moment for the development of Greater Jonglei. The success of this facility lies with those who will be in charge of maintaining and properly utilizing this place. We thank the people of the United Kingdom and UNDP for this support, especially to our youth and our communities. We look forward to building on the success here and to welcoming more development projects like this in the future,” said Jonglei State Governor Phillip Aguer Panyang, at the commissioning ceremony on Friday.
In addition to the state governor, the handover was attended by the Chair of the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission Chuol Rambang, Jonglei State Minister of Youth and Sports Abraham Dut Bol, Chair of the Jonglei State Peace Commission Mr. David Ayang, Mayor of Bor Town Gai Makor Leek, UNMISS Head of Bor Field Office Ms. Deborah Schein and representatives of youth organizations and UNDP.
As a result of earlier consultations, the presence of a cold fish storage processing facility was prioritized by the local youth representatives as a way to solidify interdependency between neighboring communities.
The facility will allow fish product originating in the Toich swamps to be stored at the optimum low temperature, in turn enabling the sale and purchase by suppliers on the local market, before being sorted and transported to consumers in Juba. The facility will improve the pre-existing “relay” model of economic cooperation that benefits both Fangak Nuer and Jonglei Dinka fishermen in the area.
“This facility will stand as an opportunity for youth to build a foundation for their economic futures and develop lasting and productive livelihoods to benefit not only themselves but their communities at large. The money that will be generated by this facility can grow from a just a seed into a tree with many branches of prosperity. With a vision and unwavering tenacity, the potential of wealth can accumulate into a home-grown Jongei big business, if well managed and well maintained. We hope that youth across Jonglei and beyond will have equal access and shares within this facility,” said UNDP Country Director Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen, at the commissioning of the compound.
The facility consists of a fish storage building, commercial ice machine, solar system, water filtration system, generator, cooling units, fish boxes, and a series of training and tutorial sessions to operate and maintain the equipment.