Obbo community of Eastern Equatoria receives newly constructed multipurpose training center

TORIT – Citizens of Obbo Payam in Magwi County of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State on Saturday received a newly constructed multipurpose training center and a police protection unit. The facilities were built with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), supported by the Government of Japan.

Despite South Sudan’s ongoing economic crisis, these facilities aim to bolster security, uphold the rule of law, and provide youth with skills for social and livelihood development along the Acholi corridor of Magwi County.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, UNDP Country Representative Mohamed Abchir highlighted that the primary purpose of the project is to create conditions for the voluntary and dignified return of displaced populations.

He emphasized the close collaboration between UNDP and the Eastern Equatoria State government in realizing this initiative.

“The purpose of this project, whose results we are witnessing today, is to create the necessary conditions for the development and dignified return of displaced populations. The role of the state is crucial in creating this environment, and UNDP is proud to closely cooperate with Eastern Equatoria State authorities in achieving this goal,” he said.

“The project has enhanced safety and citizens’ rights, improved access to justice, particularly for vulnerable groups, supported youth and women’s participation in peace initiatives, and contributed to building trust between returnees and host communities,” Abchir added.

Japan’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Toshio Adagiri, commended the community’s commitment to ensuring the success of the two facilities and urged them to take care of the infrastructure, which benefits both returning volunteers and the host community in Obbo Payam.

“Thank you so much for the tremendous effort in making all this possible. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in this project. Please take good care of it for the benefit of everyone in Obbo Payam,” said Adagiri.

Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore thanked the community for providing land for the projects, emphasizing that the facilities are for the community’s benefit, not just the government’s. He urged the Obbo community to take ownership of the buildings and cooperate with the police to ensure the rule of law is upheld.

“I know it’s raining, and we have visitors with us today. We just want to say thank you because you gave us land to build a police post for you. This is good, but now it is yours. It’s not just for the police; it’s for the Obbo community, and it will be managed by the police. The tall man you see here is Japan’s Ambassador to South Sudan. They provided the funds to UNDP to build this place for you,” Lobong said.

“This is the work of the government of Japan for the citizens of South Sudan. They chose to support you, Obbo people, by building a police post. If you take good care of this place, they may support others next time, but if you don’t, they will think people of Eastern Equatoria are not good and take their support elsewhere. I’m thankful to you for providing the land; now take care of it and cooperate with the police,” he added.

Mr. Otim David, Chairperson of the Acholi Community, commended the contributions of the Japanese government and UNDP, describing the occasion as a moment of jubilation for the community members who attended the event.

He assured the donors and state government that the community would take responsibility for protecting the assets handed over to them.