Lakes state chiefs reject proposal to fund SPLM programs

JUBA – Traditional chiefs in South Sudan’s Lakes State have rejected a proposal by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party that the communities there participate in the development by funding SPLM activities in the state.

In statements to the media last week, Daniel Awet Akot, a senior member of the SPLM party proposed that each county contribute 20,000 herds of cattle for SPLM party activities.

This will bring the total number of herds of cattle the whole state should contribute to 160,000 and Awet Akot said the contribution would be used to finance the development of feeder roads and provide food assistance to those in need in the state.

But Wulu County paramount chief Majak Malual said the proposal by the SPLM party will be difficult tasks to afford saying it should be the role of the government to construct roads because the little resources the community has cannot help.

“It is the government that’s supposed to help construct the feeder roads for the community because the resources we have cannot construct roads,” Chief Majak said, according to Radio Tamazuj.

For his part, Executive Chief of Rumbek Central County Mawat Mangar “It is impossible for one area to contribute 20,000 herds of cattle except during our long time ago when we were contributing resources for SPLM for the liberation struggle.”

“Now if we got our independence as a nation, is it again a responsibility for the community to contribute cattle for SPLM feeder road development in the counties?”