By Theophilous Ochang

Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong has called on the parents in Torit town to provide proper care for their children to prevent them from joining gang groups.

The governor made the statement during the eucharistic celebration at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Torit on Sunday. 

Addressing the congregation, Governor Lobong emphasized the need to control children from unnecessary movement at night to avoid joining bad groups.

“Let us continue protecting our children more especially here in Torit because children are moving at night, including young girls and they are saying they are moving to the parties,” Governor Lobong said.

He added that the continued movement of young children during nighttime has made them become niggers threatening people, beating and cutting them with machetes.

“These children are becoming niggers and now they are beating people. If there are parties you will find them attacking people. It is not good because it projects our place as if it’s not safe.”

However, Lobong said that security has become a more spending sector as much of the government money goes to the control of these children and paying law enforcement agencies instead of spending it on developmental activities.

 “This money if it were to be kept, will build something. So, let us take care of our children. Let us educate our children in our places.”    

Also, he appealed to the religious institutions in the state to help preach the words of God to those children to change their bad behaviors. 

In April this year, youth leaders in Eastern Equatoria State linked high crimes rates to the high unemployment levels among the youth population.

The Secretary General of the state youth union, Samson Lokiru said youth unemployment has led to armed robberies and cattle raiding in many counties.

“Minority are not employed and they are just loitering around within the state. Sometimes, they end up doing wrong things like highway robberies. We also have high rate of cattle raids in other counties,” said Lokiru.

The youths implored on peace partners to establish a mult-purpose youth center to allow the young people to freely interact among themselves. The youth further explained that the centres would bring together the youth to promote peace, and discuss youth-centred programs.