The Central Equatoria State Council of Ministers on Thursday approved SSP 90 million to fund the training of 57 cooperative officers to revive cooperative societies and enhance agricultural productivity across the state.
The resolution was made during the council’s regular session held at the State Secretariat in Juba, chaired by Acting Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, Acting Minister of Information and Communication, disclosed that the move comes following a submission of memos by the state ministers of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Labor, Public Service and Human Resource Development, and that of Roads and Bridges.
“The council also listened to a memorandum submitted by the State Minister of Cooperatives and Rural Development seeking the approval of SSP 90 million for the training of cooperative officers,” he said. “The council deliberated on the memo and resolved to approve it.”
According to Aligo, the council also listened to another memo from the Minister of Roads and Bridges about a proposal totaling USD 220,594 for the rehabilitation of two bridges along the Terekeka-Tindilio-Tali Road.
“The last memo also came from the Minister of Roads and Bridges seeking approval of USD 220,594 for the rehabilitation of two bridges along the Terekeka-Tindilo-Tali Road. The cabinet also discussed the document and it finally resolved that since there was a previous approval for that road which included the two bridges, the memo be deferred back to the ministry so that it can submit a full report on what has been done on that road so that the council will decide an informed position on what remains to be done.”
On the security situation across the state, the Minister Aligo said it is relatively calm with some isolated cases, especially in Morobo County, where some people were reportedly abducted last week by armed men believed to be linked to the National Salvation Front, but they were later released.
“The Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agencies briefed the cabinet on recent incidents, including the abduction of eight individuals last week in Lujule Payam, Morobo County by suspected National Salvation Front (NAS) elements,” Aligo said. “The government has condemned the barbaric act.”
He revealed that other incidents were reported in Juba and surrounding areas, especially cases of robberies, but reiterated the police’s commitment to halt such crimes.