It is with great honor and humility that I welcome you members of August House to your 9th session. Thank you very much for your service to the people of Northern-Bahr El Ghazal since your election in 2010.May I also congratulate you and the people of South Sudan on the return of peace to the country, region and the world?Our government and rebel groups have reached final stage of peace process and I am delighted to note that, after 22 months of senseless war , our people will once again livein peaceandharmony.
Dear Hon. Members of Legislature
Our country has gone worse moment of its young life for the last two years.However, I must sincerely thank the people of Northern-Bahr El Ghazal for remaining calm and peaceful throughout this unnecessary conflict.I must also thank all of you for your role in sensitizing and educating our people to stay away from the ongoing crisis, which is finally coming to an end.
May Ialso takethis opportunity to thankourPresident Gen. SalvaKiir Mayardit , for issuing Republican Order Number36/2015 creating28 States in South Sudan.This Presidential Order has fulfilled the dream and aspirations of the people of South Sudan.I thank the people of Northern-Bahr El Ghazal State for recently coming out in good numbers in support of this Republican Order.
Hon.Speaker,
This is first time to open a session of this important August House as a newly appointed Caretaker Governor.In thisregard ,I wouldlike to inform you that Ihave put togetherpriorities formy government .Please allow me to take you through the following priority programes:
SECURITY
Rt.Hon.Speaker,
In our efforts to address security matters in the State, my government will not compromise the security of our citizens.We shall coordinate with our gallant forces to ensure that our citizens along the border areas remain safe.Moreover, I have already directed all security forces to eradicate criminal activities in our towns.
With regard to neighboring Sudanese communities, we have a policy of annual grassroots migration peace conferences between them and our people.This soft border management mechanism will ensure maintenance of peace and harmony along the border. As all of you are aware, we recently hosted consultative peace conference attended by our brothers in Abyei, Warrap and Messiryia Awlad Kamil in an effort to bring peace among them.This initiative resulted to a resolution that recommended a grassroots peace conference that will soon be held in this town between Messiryia Ajaira and DinkaNgok.
HonorableSpeaker,
It is my pleasure to bring to your attention that my government will leave no stone unturned in terms of fighting hunger and poverty by improving agriculture as well as protecting animal resources and fisheries.These entail proper use of tractors donated by H.EPresident Salva Kiir Mayardit , which were principally meant to encourage our people to embark on farming.
Letme note that theMinistry ofAgriculture is working to ensure thatRice Scheme, which has been affectedbyinsufficient rainfall this year , is back toits full potentialnextyear.
We shall also make sure that livestock health is improved so as to increase animal production.The State Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, in collaboration with development partners, had so far vaccinated over nine hundred thousand livestock and vaccination will continue until the end of November 2015.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Honorable Members
The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure has been involved with road maintenance as part of its overall program on infrastructure development.In this regard, we shall give more emphasis on the rehabilitation of Aweil-Wau road as one of the key elements of improving access between us and our neighboring state of Western-Bahr El Ghazal.We shall also give equal attention to trunk roads that connect State capital with our counties, partly AweilSouth,Aweil East,andAweilNorth.The Ministry is also planning to improve on Aweil Airstrip by constructing terminal building, control tower and rest facilities.
Let me inform you that construction of 34.7 kilometers Feeder Road funded by EU-UNOPS is going to commence this month from Gok Machar toMayomAngok.If this project is implemented, rural livelihood will be improved and access from farms to markets is provided.
On bridge construction, my government shall lobby for funds to complete the casting of Nyamlell Bridge to connect community of Aweil Westv and Aweil North.
HEALTH CARE
Hon.Speaker
Health of our people remains an integral part of my government priorities.While the State is facing severe economic crisis, we will ensure that health services are given special consideration.
At this juncture, I would like to thank and acknowledge the effort played by our development Health Partners particularly MSF-France and Health Pooled Fund (HPF).
EDUCATION
Rt.Hon.Speaker,
Education also remain one of top priorities of my government and for this reason, Iurge the State Members ofParliament to allocate adequate funds inthis fiscal year 2015/2016 budget for the recruitment of qualified teachers in order to improve the performance ofour students and pupils.
The State Ministry of Education shall develop rules and regulations to encourage and promote girl-child education in collaboration with Development Partners, PTA and other stakeholders.
ECONOMIC SECTOR
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The State of our economy continues to face a lot of challenges at both macro and micro levels due to internal and external factors.However, your government remains committed to ensuring that all major market players in our economy are engaged in fair manner for the best interest of our citizens.As a way forward, the State government will ensure elimination of malpractices in collection of local revenues.
LABOUR AND PUBLIC SERVICES
Honorable August House, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I take this opportunity to assure you that, as a government, we are very aware of growing number of unemployed youth in the State. It is our collective responsibility to create job opportunities for our citizens in various capacities.
CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORTS
Rt.Hon.Speaker
In order to positively engage our youth, the government will encourage and promote sporting activities such as football, netball, volleyball and basketball.
Most importantly, we must preserve and protect our diverse and rich culture for future generation.On this note.I encourage the restoration of all the traditional dances and other practices, except those harmful to our society.
WATER AND SANITATION
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The StateMinistry of Water ,Irrigation and RurakDevelopment , together with our development partnersis working hard to ensure provision of safe and clean drinking water to our people in rural areas.Currently, the Ministry is constructing water pipeline from Wakabil to Aweil town.
SOCIAL WELFARE
Honorable Members,
The Ministry of Social Development in collaboration with stakeholders shall develop a modality of tracing and reuniting the children in the street with their parents, your government shall uphold the rights of women, children and people with special needs.
GOVERNANCE AND RULEOF LAW
Hon.Speaker,
The Ministry of Local Government, through County Transfer Monitoring Committee (CTMC), shall ensure that all grants allocated to counties by line ministries shall be transferred accordingly.This will enhance the policy of devolution of powers as stipulated in Local Government Act 2009.
Hon.Members , Iurge the development partners to support the establishment of Local Councils in the counties andAweilMunicipality.The establishment of Local Councils should have been done many years agon , but it has been delayed due to inadequatefunds
In order to provide basic services to our people , the Cabinet and Assemblyshould work together to implement these policies.
In conclusion,I would like to reiterate my thanks to all of you for your role and service to the people of Northern-BahrEl GhazalState.As we approach the implementation of peace agreement, I urge all of you to unite and rally behind our President.
