Eastern Equatoria state government has graduated 48 local government administrators after three months of training.
The 33 men and 15 women joined the training in August this year, following a rigorous recruitment process conducted by the state ministry of local government.
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, who presided over the graduation on Friday, warned the officers of political interference and called on them to serve all the people with dignity.
“We are recruiting these local government administrative officers because they are the dynamo of the government. They are the government, wherever they are, they represent the commissioner, the governor, and the president, he represents the government, and all other wings of the government rally behind him. He or she will be the head of the security committee wherever he or she is,” Governor Lobong said.
He said the recruitment process was fair.
“These people will be planning and implementing the services for you. They have the budget of the government and that is why we need the educated and committed people to their country,” he added.
Peter Lokeng Lotone, the Eastern Equatoria state minister of local government said it was the 4th batch to be graduated since 2006.
According to him, the state has recruited and trained about 200 local government officers since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed and many had deserted, others died and others moved on to greener pastures.
“We are here today graduating 15 beautiful women standing in front of us and 33 males. Congratulations to all of us and thanks to women for sending their children for the training,” he added.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Epone Lolimo, the county commissioner of Kapoeta North County, said the administrators will support the work of county commissioners to reach all citizens.
“Today, we have officers that can help in administering issues at our local levels. We are also relieved at the same time as county commissioners because in some of our counties we work with few administrative officers,” he said. “We want to ensure that there is government at local levels and by graduating these officers, we will be able to reach our people with the services.”
Source: Radio Tamazuj