By Ijoo Bosco
Eastern Equatoria State Minister of Information and State Government spokesperson Mr. Patrick Oting Cyprian disclosed that the necessary preparations are complete for the State government to hold the celebration of the 11th Independence Anniversary of South Sudan.
He said security situation in the State is relatively calm both in the capital and across the whole state.
Minister Oting told reporters shortly after the regular State Council of Ministers Meeting on Thursday, that the ongoing preparations for eleventh independence anniversary scheduled to take place in Magwi County as promised is on full swing saying the security situation in the State is relatively calm in State capital Torit and across the State.
He added that the Council of Ministers on Thursday discussed the general security situation in preparations for the planned independence celebrations in Magwi County.
“Our security situation across the State is generally calm as reported by the Local Government Minister, you can even witness from the media reports, everything is in control and we are working hard with our security bodies to maintain stability” said the State Minister of Information.
The State government spokesperson noted that, the State government is well prepared in full swing to ensure that the eleventh independence anniversary goes as planned earlier on by its people government in Torit.
He called for all citizens across the State counties and South Sudan at large to join the people of Magwi County who will be hosting the occasion for this year’s Independence celebration.
“Every citizens are welcome for the celebration in Magwi County from all walks of life, a number of traditional dances are on preparations to showcase our rich culture of this State, am hopeful that we shall all celebrate in peace” Oting anticipated.
The State government had reportedly release some good amount of money to celebrate the occasion in Magwi County with some contribution from their partners in the State.
Minister Oting noted that, an amount has been allocated for the occasion but he declined to reveal it publicly saying it might cause huge debate.
Meanwhile, Magwi Community women Chairperson, Ayaa Becky praised the State government for decentralizing the celebration to county level citing that it will help in promotion of unity in diversity.
She stated that, preparation are in high gear as most of the county communities are involved in songs and dramas practices to commemorate the great day.
“We have invited all our Payams in the county to present something special to our humble quests coming from Torit, Juba or abroad as well across South Sudan” Becky highlighted
She said all the women in Magwi County are already prepared and ready for the D-Day as they are now on the serious count down.
One of the youth in Magwi County, Jackie Aloyo said she is ready to celebrate the big occasion the first of its kind that the State government plans to take it to the grassroots.
Aloyo called on the national government to as well imitate the State initiative of decentralizing independence celebration in States other than confining all occasion to Juba only.
“It look very expensive traveling from my State all times to Juba every year, why can’t you shift and bring this big day down to States, we are now celebrating eleventh independence anniversary, you can imagine” Stressed Aloyo.
She said it is the first of its kind that the decentralized government in Eastern Equatoria State is doing such big occasion or celebration at the county level, thus urged the State government to continue with such initiatives.