South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The first ever five-day commissioners’ forum in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state has concluded with calls for strengthening governance systems, clarifying the role of traditional leadership, and improving infrastructure.
The forum focused on enhancing service delivery and addressing pressing challenges faced by the state’s citizens, including food insecurity, rising crime rates, and ongoing disputes related to traditional leadership structures.
Recommendations from the forum included a review of existing customary laws to clearly define the jurisdictions of chiefs and judges, a halt to the appointment of new chiefs, and the mobilisation of resources for the completion of Northern Bahr el Ghazal University, as well as funding for the construction of highways and feeder roads.
Bol Akoon Akoon, the Minister of Local Government for Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, urged administrative officers and traditional chiefs to implement the resolutions of the commissioners’ forum.
“There is a need to translate the forum’s discussions and commitments into tangible action and practical solutions. Let us implement the recommendations and resolutions in both letter and spirit,” said Akoon during the closing of the five-day forum.
Simon Ober Mawut, the Governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, stated that the people in the region continue to struggle with insecurity, including killings, robberies, and theft along major roads.
Mawut noted that the commissioners’ forum has put forward solutions to protect our people from the tragedies associated with insecurity, adding that the government has prioritised service delivery.
The summit brought together senior government leaders and traditional authorities, including five county commissioners, their executive directors, directors general, cabinet members, and paramount chiefs.
