New Unity State Governor Riek Bim Top has urged IDPs to return home after their 11-year stay in Bentiu camp.
The Governor made the appeal on his first visit to the camp on Friday where some 102,000 individuals were settled under the Protection of Civilians (POC) program in December 2013 when UNMISS took responsibility for them.
Top told the IDPs to come out and enjoy the peace in Bentiu, promising to provide them with enough security across the seven counties.
“I have been directed by President Salva Kiir to protect the people of Unity State, I believe that there will be change,” he said.
“The President told me during my oath in his office that your people want development and security,” he added.
The head of the Bentiu IDP camp, Mairob Nhial, said it was not the wish of the community members to be in the camp, but were only forced by insecurity.
The teachers’ representative, Leek Mai, said their challenges were many, including the lack of basics like blackboards.
He said the levies collected from the parents went to the Governor’s office and appealed to Top to ensure the provision of the learning materials.
“I am appealing to you to help the schools. We are sure that if there are no blackboards, there can be no learning,” Mai said. He also appealed for the registration of all the teachers by the Ministry of General Education for the purposes of their pay.