By Yiep Joseph
Fresh land disputes have emerged in Lado Payam with Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor Community calling on the state government to stop Land Demarcation in Nyamini area.
Last week, a group of elders, chiefs from Bari Community, declared land demarcation in Nyamini area for more than 20,000 plots.
The Bari community claimed that the local Chiefs. women and youth as well as county leaders, have all agreed that Nyamini be allotted as Nyamini City to all South Sudanese.
Justin Lado Wani, executive of Jebel Lado, appreciated the progress made by the communities of Illa Kare and Ku’da Lo’dimi in allocating plots to meet the growing demand for urban housing.
“We don’t have much to say; we just want to commend what the Development Community and the two communities have accomplished. They have distributed tokens, and those with tokens will be given their plots,” Lado said.
“I am very happy and want to assure people that they should not fear; the area has been allocated to them, and we aim to make this area a city.”
In response, a group of Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor Community members met Paulino Lukudu Obede Central Equatoria state and urged him to stop the demarcation process, citing unresolved territorial disputes.
According to the statement extended to the media, Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor Community members presented a petition to the Deputy Chairman, citing unresolved territorial disputes between the Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor and the Kuda Lodimi community in Lado Payam as the primary reason for their demand.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Mr. Juma Jaden Lado, Deputy Chairman called on the state government to intervene and stop the demarcation process with immediate effect.
“We came to lodge our complaint with the Acting Governor because land demarcation is currently taking place in Nyamini. We demand our rightful place and reject the ongoing process,” Jaden said.
Yapete Mogga, Secretary General for the community, outlined the petition’s key recommendations, including the cancellation of land tokens and demarcation in Nyamini, and the formation of a neutral committee to resolve the dispute.
“We propose that neighbouring communities Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor, Kuda Lodimi, Yaro, Nyorja Lo Mere, Illikare, and Gurrum bring their landlords to traditionally declare and swear on ancestral land borders,” Mogga added.
Chief Michael Sadad Lado, Head Chief of Dolo Payam, stressed the need to resolve the dispute before any further development.
“We are not against demarcation, but it should involve the Nyangwara-Pojulu Tijor community. We want peace and don’t want conflict,” he said.
Responding to the community demand, the Deputy Governor of Central who was acting governor during the meeting, acknowledged the concerns from the community and assured them of the State Government’s commitment to resolving the matter peacefully and inclusively.