Jonglei governor aspirant, Akech Dengdit promises unity, security and people-centred leadership
Dengdit, who also previously served as commissioner, minister, adviser and deputy governor, said his leadership experience has given him a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the people of Jonglei
By Samuel Yuang
Former Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Hon. Akech Dengdit, has pledged to champion people-centred leadership, unity, improve security and spur economic development if elected governor of Jonglei State.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the City Review, Dengdit said his governorship ambition is driven by a desire to build a state where nobody is left behind and diversity is embraced as a strength.
Dengdit, who also previously served as commissioner, minister, adviser and deputy governor, said his leadership experience has given him a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the people of Jonglei.
“My vision for Jonglei State is to build a state where nobody is left behind, where leadership is centred on the people, and where our diversity is recognised and embraced as our greatest asset,” he said.
On security, Dengdit pledged to address intercommunal violence, cattle raiding and armed attacks through youth empowerment, vocational training and various education programmes.
He said his proposed administration would encourage young people to stop armed violence and engage in productive activities, particularly agriculture and fishing, to improve livelihoods and promote peaceful coexistence among communities.
He also proposed working with communities, including the Murle, Dinka, Nuer and Anyuak, to strengthen unity and address insecurity through dialogue and cooperation.
Youth Unemployment and Economic Empowerment
Addressing unemployment, particularly among university graduates and largely the young people, Dengdit said his administration would prioritise job creation through agriculture, livestock, fisheries, infrastructure development, vocational training and support for small businesses.
He outlined five key areas through which his proposed administration would seek to create employment opportunities and strengthen the state’s economy.
First, the aspirant proposed expanding agriculture and food production through large-scale farming, irrigation, mechanised agriculture, food processing and agricultural cooperatives to increase local production and create employment.
Second, he pledged to promote livestock and fisheries by developing cattle markets, strengthening veterinary services, supporting fish processing and cold-storage facilities, and improving livestock trade.
Third, he highlighted infrastructure and public works as major sources of employment, proposing to engage young people in road construction, bridge building, and the development of schools, hospitals, boreholes and drainage systems.
Fourth, he proposed establishing vocational training centres in every county to equip young people with practical and technical skills needed for employment and self-reliance.
Fifth, he emphasised the importance of supporting small businesses and private-sector development through youth enterprise funds, affordable loans, business cooperatives and assistance to local entrepreneurs.
Dengdit said agriculture and fishing could play a significant role in addressing unemployment while strengthening food security.
He highlighted the agricultural potential of areas along the River Nile, saying his ambition is to encourage local production and make Jonglei a major food supplier to markets in Bor and Juba.
The former deputy governor further pledged to prioritise basic services, including roads, clean water, hospitals and agricultural equipment, arguing that development should begin by addressing the immediate needs of ordinary citizens.
Dengdit also called for stronger grassroots leadership, saying government officials should regularly visit communities, listen to their concerns and involve residents in identifying development priorities.
He further expressed interest in contesting for the SPLM chairperson position in Jonglei State, with a commitment to strengthen the party’s structures and implement its vision from the boma, payam and county levels.
In his message to the people of Jonglei, Dengdit called for unity and reconciliation, recalling the state’s contribution during South Sudan’s liberation struggle.
He said that, if elected governor, he would work closely with the national government to attract development projects, including roads, schools and hospitals.
“We will not refuse development or challenge it. We will ask the national government to understand what we want and the way we want to be served,” he said.
Dengdit said his ultimate goal is to unite the people of Jonglei and promote inclusive leadership that delivers practical development for all communities.