Commissioner of Renk County pledged his commitment to ensuring basic services for the returnees and displaced persons, including shelter and other necessities

By Emmanuel Mandella

Authorities in Upper Nile State have called for the relocation of internationally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees currently sheltering at the Upper Nile University College of Agriculture, emphasizing the institution’s critical role in educational and economic development.

Speaking during an inspection of the facility, Commissioner of Renk County, Jol Achiek Jol, pledged his commitment to ensuring basic services for the returnees and displaced persons, including shelter and other necessities. The Commissioner further highlighted the need for a robust dialogue to determine a sustainable solution for both the displaced individuals and the university’s revival.

“The College of Agriculture is not just a building, it is a cornerstone for food production and self-sustainability,” said the Chairperson of Jieng Abiliang Community. He highlighted the institution’s significance in providing educational programs that empower communities to achieve economic independence.

Also, the Upper Nile State Labor Minister, Diing Deng Lueth, echoed the sentiments, underscoring the university’s potential to drive growth, innovation, and human development. He emphasized that the university is central to fostering commercial activities, revitalizing printing industries, and equipping students with essential environmental knowledge.

“The discussions we are having at the university revolve around its design and development, preparing it to become a hub of growth and innovation, integrating environmental knowledge into commerce and ensuring relevance in the changing commercial landscape are critical for the institution’s future,” Lueth explained.

He further appealed for external support, particularly from the area, to address the university’s challenges. He warned that without immediate action, the university risks losing its significance, affecting the broader economic and developmental landscape of the country.

The relocation of displaced persons is seen as a necessary step to enable the university to fully address its educational programs and contribute to the region’s prosperity and development.

However, authorities have emphasized that the process must be conducted with sensitivity and adequate provision of alternative shelter for those affected.

The call for action highlights the pressing need for a balance between humanitarian assistance and the restoration of critical institutions like the Upper Nile University College of Agriculture, which remains vital for the region’s development.

Meanwhile, in a bid to address the housing shortages for the returnees and IDPs wishing to resettle in Malakal town, Upper Nile State government in partnership with the Humanitarian and Development Consortium (HDC) signed a memorandum of understanding to implement a housing project that aims to provide shelter for over 500 households, specifically returnees and IDPs.

On October 18, the state’s governor James Odhok paid a visit to the project, which had at the time seen some 130 homes completed in the Hai Mataar Residential area, and were ready for occupancy.

“The College of Agriculture is not just a building, it is a cornerstone for food production and self-sustainability,” said the Chairperson of Jieng Abiliang Community.