This emerged as one of the priorities in a report compiled by the county’s MP, Juol Nhomngek Daniel.
The report was compiled after his visit to Cueibet County in Lakes State in November 2023 where he assessed the level of service delivery, the general situations of the people and what should be done to improve their welfare.
The report, which focused on security, education, health, agriculture and physical infrastructure sectors seeks to help the national government make informed decision in the areas to develop in the County.
“The assessment critically looked at six main important areas that will have a greater impact on the lives of the communities if the resources are allocated for their development,” partly reads the report which Sudan’s Post obtained.
The report paints a grim picture on the state-led disarmament efforts which, in the past, had varying degrees of success in reducing conflict related to cattle thefts and raids but it in some instances led to violent confrontations between the army and civilians.
“Unfortunately, the National Police Service that is supposed to prevent, combat and investigate crimes in order to keep law and public order are underpaid that further makes them become dependent on the communities for their survival and as a result harbour crime sometimes,” it stated.
Also cited in the lawmakers’ report are “uncontrolled” corruption reportedly affecting the effectiveness of the police. For instance, it says, the recent payment of new salaries based on 400% was not accordingly implemented in Cueibet County where 700 police personnel missed payment and are not paid the salaries that they missed up to date.
Famine and hunger still face the farming communities in Cueibet County, it stated.
According to the report, cattle keepers also face many challenges caused by cattle raiding and theft constantly due to the weaknesses in the judicial and police systems.
The report says communities in Tiap Tiap Payam, Citcok Payam, Pagor/Yardong Payam, Duony Payam, Marial Akeng in Abiriu Payam and Northern Part of Malou Pech Payam face serious problem of shortage in supply of clean drinking water during the dry seasons.
“The people in the above mentioned areas are in constant dire needs for clean drinking water which the government must pay attention. It is advisable that the government should come up with the solutions as soon as possible,” stated the report.
Also featured in the report are the humanitarian assistance and food insecurity needs.
According to the report, food insecurity is on the rise in Cueibet County due to shortage of food supply that has been caused by the insecurity that has driven cattle keeping communities in the Northern Cueibet County to the central and southern parts of the county where the cattle destroyed little crops that have survived the irregular rainfalls leaving communities in these areas without enough food supply.
The impacts of heavy floods caused by rainfalls for the three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 had lasting negative impact on communities of the county, it stressed.
The lawmaker says road improvements will reduce the vulnerability of communities affected by insecurity along the primary road between Cueibet and Rumbek and between Cueibet and Tonj South County as banditry will die a “natural death”.
