By Correspondent

On Wednesday, the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadalla met some community members of Lodu Payam led by chief, Justine Lado Wani.

The representatives of the community discussed with the Governor issues of conflicts of land grabbing and security challenges in the area.

According to a statement from the Governor’s official page, Jadalla assured the community of the State’s government commitment in addressing the challenges. He also condemned the killing of a primary eight pupil who was alleged to have been strangled to death in one of the examination centers in Lodu Payam and directed for legal action on the incident.

Hon. Emmanuel Tete Ezbon, the Commissioner of Juba County who was present in the meeting calls for “collective, trustworthy and genuine efforts” in handling the issues of the land disputes.

Speaking to the Press after the meeting, Justin Lado Wani, the Chief of Lodu Payam urged for immediate intervention of the government in tackling issues of land grabbing in the area. 

“We as chiefs, we are for everyone and when we tell you that a place has been demarcated, don’t go there because that place is now for someone else. If a place is demarcated it means it is the government that have allocated such place for people,” said Chief Lado.

Speaking on behalf of women of Lodu Payam, Cicilia Laku Wani called for urgent investigation and holding the perpetrators who killed the primary eight pupil accountable. She urged for South Sudanese to desist from the culture of violence and embrace peaceful co-existence.

“We as the people of Lodu Payam, we stand by our President and Governor. The President is our leader and as citizens of this country South Sudan, we don’t want the killings to continue,” said Cicilia.

In March this year, at least 35 land grabbers were reportedly charged by the Kuburi Habuba Police Station Court after they were apprehended in Molubur village of Lado Payam by the County Commissioner. The convicts were fined between SSP 150,000 and 250,000 or two months in prison for illegally grabbing land.

Local authorities in the area have continued to decry land grabbing.