Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The governor of Jonglei State, Dr. Riek Gai Kok, on Tuesday announced the creation of a new administrative unit, Pawuoi Payam, in Twic East County, to streamline governance in one of the county’s most populous areas.
The order, issued per the Transitional Constitution of Jonglei State and the Local Government Act of 2009, designates Aluel Town as the administrative headquarters of the new payam. The directive instructed the Minister of Local Government, local traditional authorities, and the Twic East County commissioner to consult with local communities to determine the number of bomas that will make up Pawuoi Payam.
The new payam is expected to enhance local administration and service delivery.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from community members and civil society. Daniel Majok, a member of the existing Nyuak Payam from which Pawuoi Payam was carved out, said some view the creation as a positive step, while others see it as a divisive move.
Nyuak Payam was previously composed of three communities: Awulian, Darchuek, and Ayual. The new payam is formed by the Awulian Community, which Majok notes is the smallest of the three.
“Many feel that the unity that previously existed among the three communities in Nyuak Payam is now being undermined, as one community is being separated to form its payam,” he stated.
Majok questioned the justification of a small community forming a payam on its own and argued that the move is neither wise nor timely, given the existing under-resourcing of current administrative units.
Meanwhile, Bol Deng Bol, the executive director of the Bor-based advocacy group, Intrepid South Sudan (ISS), and the chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, said creating more administrative units, while current ones remain underserved, is a “misallocation of focus and resources.”
Deng warned that the new policy could become a source of conflict, particularly in leadership contests, and would add burdens to the people, without addressing urgent humanitarian and economic issues.
“Given the dire humanitarian and economic conditions in Jonglei, this initiative is not a priority. It will only add to the burdens already weighing down the people,” he said.
Deng urged the government to prioritize real development, such as building roads and other infrastructure, which he noted were the key demands voiced by residents during the governor’s recent county visits.
He commended the governor for the steps taken to open roads and connect counties and payams, suggesting that this is where the real focus should be.
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