By Bida Elly David
The land row over the ownership of Zain football ground remains shaken as competitive parties still pull-ropes claiming rights of title deeds from sources which are yet to be uprooted.
The continuous saga has made the governor of Central Equatoria State to form an adhoc committee to investigate the trending public outcry about the sports space following the brutal row of ownership between the county authority and investors.
In a gubernatorial order issued by Governor Emmanuel Adil, the committee is tasked to investigate the status of land ownership between the parties contesting over it through verification of the plot documents by each party.
“Based on the powers conferred upon me Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony vide Republican Decree No.51/2020, I do hereby issue this Gubernatorial Order for the immediate investigation on the trending public outcry about the Zain Playground, Luri Payam, Juba County from today, Tuesday 21st March 2023, with the following membership as hereunder,” the statement reads.
Adil in his order also directed the committee to conduct thorough meetings and consultations with the relevant stakeholders including the chiefs, community leaders to dig out the history of the land and which party was the first to have started the legal processes of ownership.
“Gubernatorial Order directs the aforementioned committee to comprehensively discharge on the followings to investigate the status/ ownership of the highly contested land, verify the plots document regarding ownership of zain Playground from the holders. To meet and consult with the relevant stakeholders including Chiefs, Community leaders, Luri Payam, Juba County and the State Ministry of Housing, Lands and Public Utilities,” the statement reads.
The statement further stated that the consultation ought to co-opt not more than two (2) members were deemed necessary and the committee is urged to submit its independent findings to the Office of H.E the Governor within a period of two (2) weeks from the date of its signature.
Moreover, the investigative committee tasked to undertake the investigation consists of advisors on peace and security affairs, director general of the concerned ministry and a representative from the local government as well as a legal body.
According to the tasks allocated, the committee is chaired by the advisor on peace and security affairs and deputized by the state minister of cabinet affairs adding that the secretariat will be taken by the director general for the ministry of local government and law enforcement agency.
Adil further topped up membership to subordinate the investigative committee and they are the chairperson of the state land commission, the head of legal administration and public prosecution attorney, the state police IGP and the police commissioner and finally the director of national security service of the state.
The battle between the competitors over the ownership of the playing ground has drawn the attention of the public who stand as beneficiaries to on entertaining space saying that what is meant for the public shouldn’t be individualized.
They raised their concerns urging the state government to immediately investigate the matter to enable them know their stance over the saga since the ground has been used for promoting sports and community programs meant to promote peace in the state.