By Yiep Joseph
Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources (CSCNR) has handed over 30 plot documents to vulnerable community members in Bentiu, Unity State.
According to a statement released to the media, the handover is part of the coalition’s efforts to ensure land rights.
Gizam Moses, Programme Officer of CSCNR, expressed concern for the beneficiaries who lost their belongings during conflict.
“The coalition is responding to urgent needs of vulnerable community members who lost everything during 2013 crisis. Through the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, we have identified thousands of vulnerable individuals in dire need of residential plot documents,” he said.
Moses noted that those in need include people with disabilities (PWDs), war widows, orphans, and the elderly.
He emphasized that legal land acquisition and occupation are essential to combat land grabbing, expropriation without fair compensation, land-based conflicts, and the vulnerabilities faced by underprivileged members of society.
“I call upon the state government, especially the State Members of Parliament, community leaders, faith-based groups, and local civil society organizations, to enhance awareness about the importance of land registration, even at the customary level,” he urged.
Moses acknowledged that development comes with its own challenges related to land resources, and he stressed that the land and property rights of vulnerable groups must be protected and respected.
“We thank our reliable partners, NPA South Sudan, the State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, and the State Parliament for working hand in hand with us to realize these crucial community aspirations,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating with organizations to help vulnerable individuals enjoy their full land rights.
On her part, Nyeawujume Puok Bol, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude to CSCNR and their partners for helping her and her peers recover their lost land documents.
“I am so excited about what the Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources has done to process these documents for us, as we cannot afford the fees required by the State Ministry of Land, Housing, and Public Utilities. Most of us are vulnerable and cannot manage to construct houses on our land without support from humanitarian organizations,” Nyeawujume said.
She appealed to the state to double its efforts in supporting vulnerable people.
Mathiot Dut Gatluak, a member of the Unity State Legislative Assembly, praised the civil society’s efforts.
“Today, I am pleased to meet the leadership of the Civil Society Coalition on Natural Resources (CSCNR), which has handed over 30 plot registration documents to vulnerable people in Bentiu who were affected during the 2013 crisis,” he said.