By Rehan Ajuet Moun
A renowned activist, Edmund Yakani, has called for strict punishment for officials involved in the sale of government lands.
Mr. Yakani, who serves as the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) stated that the sale of public land is a serious violation of the country’s laws.
“The case of selling of Supari Secondary land to 3 private firms is a violation of recent decision made by the council of ministers, where state, local and even national government officials were asked not to temper with any land owed for school or health,” said Yakani.
He also called on the government to leave no stone unturned to ensure that culprits face the wrath of the law, adding that as activists their eyes won’t blink until this wrongdoing ceases.
CEPO’s boss cautioned politicians against selling or privatizing public lands such as schools and hospitals.
“We are aware that some politicians are issue of selling of schools lands to private companies and graphing school lands and do private business on it,” he noted.
Besides, Yakani promised a watertight legal suit against the Ministry of General Education and state authorities should they not take perpetrators to court.
“We the activists, we will take the legal step, and will make sure this issue is sorted out,” he warned.
This came after the national minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng together with CES governor, Augustino Jadallah toured Supiri Secondary School in Juba, and found that it was sold off to investors.
In the tour, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Education, Mr. Cirisio Zakaria Lado is put in the spotlight after allegedly being found on the wrong side of the law over the sale of public-school lands.
Minister Awut, while speaking to the media said her docket is going to take legal action against the minister, Mr. Cirisio.
“So, legal processes will be taken against him because this is becoming too much,” she said.
Also, the governor of Central Equatoria State, Augustino Jadallah issued stern warning to any minister involved in such malpractices or face full force of the law.