The newly appointed administrator of Ngauro Administrative Area in Eastern Equatoria State has vowed to prioritize security, fight alcohol-related violence, and strengthen government presence in remote communities as he assumes office.
Augustine Lopoyok Jervase, speaking during an interview with this publication, said insecurity, difficult terrain, and limited access remain among the major challenges facing Ngauro. He assured residents that his administration will work closely with government institutions and partners to improve the situation.
He pointed at improving security is the immediate priority, saying peace is the foundation for development and effective delivery of public services.
“The major challenge, apart from security, is access. This area is mountainous, and reaching all corridors is not easy, but I am ready to move even on foot to reach our people because leadership must go where the people are,” Lopoyok said.
He added that cooperation with development partners would help reduce challenges related to roads, mobility, and service delivery.
The administrator also raised concern over the increasing consumption of alcohol, linking it to many cases of violence and killings in the area.
“A lot of killings are connected to alcohol,” he stated. “People are drinking too much, and we need to continue creating awareness so our communities understand the dangers.”
Lopoyok revealed that he has issued local administrative orders requiring drinking places to close by 5:00 p.m. and announced plans to strengthen security patrols to ensure compliance.
“I am not coming here just to lead people who continue killing themselves; I am coming to help minimize insecurity, reduce killings and address alcoholism,” he said. “The government is close to you now. I want our people to have a listening heart and understand that the government is working for them.”
He appealed to residents to cooperate with government policies, saying the purpose of leadership is to serve and protect communities.
For his part, David Lino Lochungai, the youth leader of Ngauro Administrative Area, thanked Governor Louis Lobong and welcomed the creation of the administrative area, describing it as an important step toward bringing government services closer to communities.
The people of Ngauro have been yearning for leadership because the distance to Chukudum has made it difficult for many youths to access government services and opportunities,” he said.
However, he urged the new administrator to make security the top priority, citing frequent killings and criminal activities in the area, particularly around mining locations.
“Ngauro is a mining area, but many young people have lost their lives because the government presence was far away,” he said. “We need security to protect our people and create opportunities for youth.”
The youth leader also appealed to the state government to improve health services in Ngauro, particularly by upgrading the existing health facility to a hospital.
“We need the Ngauro Primary Health Care Centre to be upgraded into a hospital because our people need better healthcare services,” Lochungai said.
He urged young people to remain resilient despite economic hardship, drought, and declining agricultural production.
“We cannot depend only on agriculture now because drought has affected crops,” he advised. “Our youth need to engage in businesses, livestock trade and other activities to sustain their lives.”
and then