Governors appeal for resources to implement resolutions

The state governors and the chiefs of the administrative areas have appealed to the national government to avail more resources to implement the resolutions of the 5th governors’ forum.

Speaking on behalf of the governors, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, the Central Equatoria State governor, said it was important for the national government to support them to deliver on their resolutions.

Adil made the remarks during the closing of the forum yesterday at Freedom Hall after one week of discussions.

He said most of them have benefited from the forum, adding that total peace and development could be realised if the resolutions are implemented.

“We have exchanged views and, equally, we have benefited from each other’s experience as a state and the national government.

“We listened to the respective minister’s presentation and we discovered that we are doing enough only that we are talking about what we are doing,” Adil said.

He noted that the conference had come in a timely manner and that the resolutions given would act as the major objectives to be pursued next year.  

“We call upon our development partners and line ministries to help us coordinate and implement these resolutions such that the next conference will be able to have a measure, a yardstick,” he added.

All-inclusive approach

However, Governor Adil called upon the citizens to be patient with the leadership in the implementation of the peace agreement.

“I know the expectations of our people are higher, but I want to seize this opportunity to urge them to be patient with their government for the implementation of the agreement.

“I know some voices are saying it is slow, but we should implement it in a manner that does not take us to war but keeps us in peace and harmony.”

He appealed to the international community to support the government in implementing what can bring peace and development.

Adil urged the international community not to pressurise the government but instead provide capacity building for its implementation.

“We need their support as opposed to opposing us because we believe that once supported under your leadership, we will achieve what they want,” said Adil, referring to Kiir’s administration.

He applauded the development partners and affirmed the state governments’ commitment to facilitating the work of humanitarian organisations delivering services to the people in the states without any hindrance.

“We have acknowledged the support of our partners, and I believe you will call this donor conference to support our projects and programs that are in the states.

“We are ready to give you the necessary conditions for unhindered access so that you can deliver both services and humanitarian aid.”

Dr Riek Machar, the First Vice President, said the reports of the 10 state governors and the three chief administrators varied a lot in terms of the challenges they face and the projects that they have implemented so far.

“There were states that have embarked on development. There were states still struggling to get themselves to work, struggling to quell some security problems and also some states struggling with floods, mitigating floods, ” he said.

According to Dr Machar, every state has recommended agricultural shows and exhibitions for next year.

In this sense, he suggested early preparation for the next governors’ forum to benefit the governors when they meet with the team from the ministry of finance to present their budget for the new fiscal year.

“It will be good to start working on the next governors’ forum because, from the recommendation from the governors’ forum, it should be held twice a year.

 “I know when it was first initiated in 2006, it was three times a year and a quarter, but with the economic situation we are in, I think we can afford twice a year,” Riek said.

The FVP added: “Our budget is always in July, and they have a budget working group that comes and works with the ministry of finance.

“So, if the next forum is held in May, they will benefit a lot when they discuss the budget with the ministry of finance in June.”

The forum has provided more than 70 recommendations, some directed to the national government and others directed to the state government and the administrative areas for implementation before the sixth governors’ forum is expected next year.