By William Madouk
Eastern Equatoria State governor, Louis Lobong Lojore may need to testify before the Council of States regarding a reported encroachment and unauthorized gold mining in his state.
A legislator representing Kapoeta East in the Council of States, Micheal Losike raised concerns about a mining company that started extracting gold in Katodori Payam without obtaining consent from the local communities.
“Firstly, there is a company of gold (mining company) that went to Kapoeta East, Katodori payam and mine gold without the agreement from the host committee,” said MP Micheal Losike.
According to MP, the company management was warned by the residents and told to cease operation, meanwhile, using legal means to seek community approval.
“They force themselves and dig that gold without the notice from the communities and then we the community reacted they pick slashes and beat company staff including the communities who collide with them,” he continued.
However, Losike cited that when the community went back to Kapoeta town, Lobong allegedly ordered the arrest of 17 people.
He claimed the governor denied knowing the company owner and the arrest.
“When we asked him – who owns the company? he said he doesn’t know then we asked him who gave you the orders to arrest the communities in the area, he also denied it,” MP stated.
“So, I am appealing that the governor should be summon to this August House.” He noted.
Besides, lawmakers rued about the arrest of three South Sudan People’s Defences by the Ugandan army in Magwi county’s territory, adding that possible encroachment is seen.
“When it reaches to certain areas our brothers of East Africa – they don’t recognise us as a strong state. like now our three soldiers have been arrested by them with their guns and also, they continue to already enter to the territory of South Sudan”
“This area of Kidepo, the Ugandan government also have already encroached inside and arrested local people while they are grazing there. So, the governor is the one to be called and address this.”
In response, the speaker Deng Deng Akoon advised the lawmaker to put his information in writing and table it before the House as one of the urgent motions to be deliberated on.