Reported by Amaliya Omot

           
March 25, 2006 (Nairobi) - The Vice President of Southern Sudan Government paid a short visit here in Pochalla County in the week of March 23, 2006.

Dr. Riek Machar was accompanied by Mr. Philip Leek, Governor of Jonglei State together with his security advisor, Steven Ogut Obongo. They were met at the local airport and welcomed by the county authorities and the MP of Pochalla constituency in the Jonglei State Assembly. Pochalla residents turned out in numbers to welcome Dr. Riek Machar.

This visit was vital and important because it is the first visit by senior high level officials of the GoSS since the signing of the CPA. The purpose was to study the county’s developmental problems to design future strategies and also to find solutions to any administrative issues.

The Vice President later met with the King, Adongo Agada, and elders of the region. The Vice President assured the residents and officials of Pochalla of the government concern and determination to bring development to the people. The residents in turn thanked the Vice President for his initiative and timely visit.

Meanwhile, one of the NGOs operating in the area said there are about 2,800 IDPs who just returned to Akobo, desperately needing food aid and other basic needs such as health and educational facilities; agricultural tools and clean water. At the same time, Pochalla County is congested with 20,000 refugees from Ethiopia and internally displaced persons, the NGO added. These two counties are the areas worst hit by problems resulting from the lack of aid from international NGOs and the 21 year old civil war.

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