The newly appointed commissioner of Lafon County, Orupi David Uywek, has vowed to prioritize peace and security with the neighboring Torit, Imehehek, Kapoeta North counties, and Mogiri in central Equatoria State, to ensure stability in the area.
Orupi, a teacher, previously served in the Eastern Equatoria State Youth Union and later as an inspector of education at Torit Municipal Council, before being appointed commissioner to replace Mengisto Ukachi Agweri, who was repeatedly rejected by the county’s youth.
The new commissioner also pledged to empower the local businesses to supply more fish to Torit and Juba.
“I need peace and love and the unity of our people in Lafon County and the neighboring counties, especially Imehejek Administrative Area, Torit County, Kapoeta North County, and Central Equatoria State, particularly Mogiri Payam,” he said. “We shall work together to ensure security and free movement of our people and goods. My second priority is agriculture, and we will educate the youth and have massive awareness campaigns on agricultural activities to reduce poverty. We have been complaining of hunger, yet it can be eradicated by human beings.”
“My third priority is to reorganize the security forces on the ground to implement all government policies, especially the Local Government Act, while also implementing the peace agreement,” Commissioner Orupi added.
He also said he will spearhead healing and reconciliation amongst all communities so that people live in peace.
For his part, Augustine Lijuok, a local chief in Lafon, urged the new commissioner to address the insecurity along the Lafon-Juba Road and initiate dialogue with the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA).
“We want food here because we do not have anything. We also want to have good relations with the Murle from Pibor because they disturb on the Mogiri Road,” he said. “The Murle and Dinka from Bor are always fighting along that road.”
Meanwhile, Hillary Tukan, a resident in Lafon Center, decried the lack of adequate medical facilities and poor road access in the county.
“The new commissioner should come and try his best. Our problems include bad roads and a lack of medicines. Drugs cannot reach us in time because of poor roads,” he said. “The commissioner should also come and address the issue of hunger, which is seriously affecting people here because the rains came late this year. Birds also destroyed crops.”