By The City Review

Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony on Wednesday officially reopened the State’s Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly after a one year recess.

Held under the theme; “Strengthening Democracy, Peace, and Good Governance for Sustainable Development”, the event presented an opportunity for the Governor to outline four key policy agenda thet the state will undertake.

The first agenda, the state leadership notes, is on Peace, Security Stabilization and Social Cohesion. This will be achieved through collaboration with all stakeholders through Ministries of Peace Building and Local Government to promote grassroot reconciliation, peace, dialogue, and community healing initiatives particularly among farmers and pastoralists.

“The State Government shall strive to make Central Equatoria State an accountable State to its Citizens by embracing tenets of good governance as an obligation and duty for all who are entrusted with public responsibilities,” the Governor said.

Secindly, the state expressed its intent to keep Juba City Clean, Green and Safe. This, the governor said, will be achieved through prioritizing a comprehensive urban development plan that includes cleaning and waste Management strategies to address the persistent issue of unhealthy environment.

“I direct the Juba City Council and other urban areas to undertake massive civic education campaigns to ensure all residential areas, streets, and markets are maintained and kept clean,” the Governor stated.  

The governor also outlined plans for Economic Recovery through Agriculture and Cooperative, where a strategy geared towards increased agricultural production, expanding cooperative societies, tracing back tractors that were supplied by the previous State Administration, will be rolled out.

This also entails commercializing Livestock and fisheries, and promoting the tourism sector as alternative to diversify economy and improve State Revenue stream. “My government will allocate increased budget to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and tourism sectors to facilitate the access to agricultural land and markets,” Governor Adil added.

The fourth agenda, he said, will be on improved People-Centered Service Delivery, which includes rehabilitation of educational facilities, health, provision of clean water, reviving teachers training institutes, and work with health partners in improving access to maternal and child health care. Additionally, the program will entail managing outbreaks, expanding vaccination programs and ensuring that essential medicines and personnel are available in all health facilities within the State.

“The state shall ensure all urban centers including its Payam and Boma centers have piped water and exert efforts to engage National Ministry of Water Irrigation to expedite the connection of water systems to residences,” Governor Adil affirmed.  

Meanwhile, the Governor urged lawmakers to prepare citizens for the upcoming general elections,  emphasizing on the importance of active citizen participation in the polls.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Speaker of the State Parliament Hon. Dr. Salam Alhaj Abdalla Baballa called on all legislators to carry out their responsibilities in areas of representation, legislation, and oversight with commitment and discipline.

The Deputy Speaker also urged for Collaborations between the executive and legislature in addressing challenges facing the State, some of which includes rampant land grabbing, insecurity caused by hold out armed groups, border encroachment in Kajo-keji County,  child abduction, and threats from armed cattle herders.