The government of Kapoeta North County, Eastern Equatoria State, has inked a deal with UNOPS for the construction of two classrooms in the area.

The deal also entails the construction of two market shades to support the women selling in the market.

Emmanuel Epone Lolimo, the county commissioner, said the construction of the market shades would boost the economic growth in the area.

Lolimo said his communities have been using their crops and livestock for subsistence purposes, adding the traders will now take the goods to the market once construction is completed.

 “This is going to help to improve the livelihoods of the community and also attract our local community into business,” said Lolimo.

Lolimo added that the education system in his county was still low judging from the fact that even the government schools had no candidate who sat for the recent Primary Leaving Examination.

He attributed the low education system to insufficient salaries paid to teachers, lack of accommodation, and other boarding facilities including feeding.

“Our education level here is very low even at the government schools, we even do not have pupils registered for primary eight even the last national examination for the primary schools, no school from the government schools were able to sit for the primary leaving examinations except one school which is being run by the church,’’ he lamented.

‘‘The problem is the challenges. You know the government schools have a lot of challenges. One challenge is the salaries, another challenge is accommodation, a boarding facility for the pupils and feeding,” said Lolimo.

Lolimo called on his people to not only practise pastoralism but also engage in education to raise the standards of their living.

“Our communities are rooted in the culture of only looking after livestock. So we are advising our community to prioritize education because through education, they will be able to have sustainable living,” Lolimo stressed.

Lily Hidita, Chairlady for Eastern Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the project to create a market environment for the people in Kapoeta North.

She appealed for similar structures to be established in all counties across Eastern Equatoria State.

 “It is a good project. We need such projects to be established in other counties also to promote the economy of the county. I think in any county if you have a market, automatically it will attract many communities to come and sell their goods like goats, vegetables,” said Hidita.