By Yiep Joseph
Central Equatoria State (CES) government has received Four vehicles for peace missions, committing to utilizing them effectively for peacebuilding efforts.
The vehicles were provided on Wednesday, by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as part of their Peace Partnership initiative.
During the handover ceremony at the CES secretariat in Juba, Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu received the donation and vowed to ensure that the cars serve their intended purpose of facilitating peace activities in the state.
Lukudu expressed that the support came at a time when the state government is in high gear to ensure peace in the state in particular and South Sudan at large.
He appreciated the UNMISS for continuous support of peace activities in the state, adding that the state government would continue in peacebuilding.
“As we receive this vehicle, we want to assure you that the purpose of this vehicle will be used the way it was requested. We want to make sure that these vehicles are properly…” Lukudu said
“As for this vehicle we received today from UNMISS, it came at the right time that the government has issues to do with mobility,” he expressed.
He stated that the peace committees that are part of the beneficiaries of the donation were facing several problems, adding that the cars would ease their movement.
“We receive this vehicle at the time the committee for peace in the counties is facing a huge challenge making peace in the areas,” he said.
“As we are getting one vehicle for the Lainya County Peace Committee, we can also ask UNMISS to get cars for other committees in the other counties,” he added.
He reiterated the state government’s continuous cooperation with the UNMISS for peace in South Sudan.
“We will continue to cooperate and work with UNMISS to reassure our commitment to transparency, accountability, the rule of law, security, and stability,” he said.
On her part, Njoki Kinyanjui, UNMISS head of Field CES, expressed that the cars are part of support toward capacity building through easing the mobility of staff.
“We are today to officially hand over this vehicle, which are gifted items from UNMISS to support the capacity and mobility of various institutions represented today,” she said.
“It is important to help peace committees at the grassroots,” she added.
On his part, Jacob Aligo, CES Minister of Peace Building, appreciated UNMISS for their support.
He added that the cars would ease the mobility of the staff to grassroots to preach peace.
“This vehicle is going to be a boost to the peace ministry,” he said.
“We have to move to a different part of the state so that we should be able to preach peace,” he added.
He expressed that it is a good start as he assumed office recently with already a car for his office to preach peace as his legal task in the position.