By Yunesin Lawrence

The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Western Bahr el Ghazal State allocated 1,096 residential plots to the displaced, as part of a program to resettle the displaced and integrate them into society, thereby voluntary getting them out of the camp.

In an interview with The City Review on Wednesday, Barshim Musa Ayaga, head of the commission, revealed that residential plots were provided to more than a thousand and ninety families, who were present in the UN mission camp in Wau since the 2016 clashes. The families were among those that do not own plots or houses in the area.

Following the allocation of the plots, the camp was closed.

“The new residential area was planned in the Naivasha area, according to the specifications of a residential plan for the city, with all its facilities from the police station, health center, school, church, university, a sports field and twenty main streets with large areas,” Barshim said.

He confirmed that the displaced people are now drawing lots to determine the location of the plot of land.

The program is supervised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It is expected that other organizations will take the initiative to build vital facilities in the residential area.

Barsham added that the new residential area is located in the northwest side of Wau city, in Khor Malang, which is part of the Jur River County.

He thanked the county authorities for offering the plots to the displaced families.

It is worth noting that the current IDP camp is originally investment land owned by individuals, and those fleeing the conflict in 2016 were temporarily accommodated on it.

Recently, the owners of these lands demanded that the government reclaim them.