The Minister of Cabinet Affairs in Western Equatoria State, John Bariyona, has declared a renewed fight against illiteracy, hunger, and poor road infrastructure, describing them as key obstacles to development in the state.
Speaking on Monday in Yambio, the minister urged staff from the ministries of General Education and Instruction, Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, and Roads and Bridges to work collectively to address poverty, food insecurity, and low education standards.
“We want Western Equatoria State to remain the food basket of the country. The Ministry of Agriculture should register more than 1,000 local farmers’ groups, while the ministries of fisheries and animal resources must support livelihoods,” Minister Bariyona stated. “Roads and bridges are also critical so that drugs and medicines can reach vulnerable communities at the grassroots.”
He further called on the Ministry of Roads and Bridges to prioritize road construction to improve access to health facilities and ensure the delivery of medicines to remote areas.
The minister also cautioned civil servants against infighting, urging them to cooperate fully with the new leadership and resolve challenges through open dialogue and mutual respect.
For his part, Gibson Bullen, the newly appointed education minister, pledged to improve the education sector and raise learning standards across the state.
“I want to ensure that the education system in Western Equatoria is improved and well-managed,” he said. “I am grateful to the president for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I will work to ensure that the sons and daughters of this state access quality education.”
Bullen appealed to the ministry’s staff to work closely with him, stressing that teamwork will be his guiding principle in improving service delivery.
Meanwhile, Nagomoro Bridget Philemon, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Environment, said her priority is to support farmers’ livelihoods while addressing environmental challenges affecting the state.
“As the newly appointed minister of agriculture, my priority is to support farmers and their livelihoods while tackling environmental challenges facing Western Equatoria State,” she said.
On her part, the Minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Leticia Ambrose Anikindi, warned staff against internal divisions and encouraged honesty, cooperation, and unity.
She noted that ministers are appointed to work with civil servants, not against them, and called on staff to view one another as one family working for the good of the people.
The assumption of office by the ministers has been welcomed by residents as a sign of hope, particularly as the state intensifies efforts to eradicate illiteracy, fight hunger, and improve service delivery.
The ministers made the remarks after officially assuming office at their respective ministries in Yambio on Monday morning. They were accompanied by the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, other government officials, family members, friends, and supporters.