The Multiplier-effect in Nation Building: The Exemplary Case of Bilpam Generals Joining Hands to Help Wounded Comrades
3 min readNakuwa Jr., UK
For the first time since the liberation struggle (bush years), South Sudan’s leaders, have taken the initiatives to solicit vast resources from within have to initiate development instead of begging or apply for highly priced loans.
Elsewhere yesterday, I also read that the Government issued an ultimatum to those government officials who have used the government as a cash cow to cater for their needs in the hotels, with some of these ‘needs’ highly questionable on the principle of morality and priority. Can you believe that there are government officials who have been living in very expensive Juba hotels since CPA was signed, all at the expense of the government, in spite of receiving housing allowances and other government freebees?
Anyway, the coming together of these Bilpam generals to build these medical wards to cater for their wounded comrades is unprecedented and commendable, and an illustrative proof of how the ‘multiplier effect’ can work in nation building, especially IF we really care. Just imagine if political leaders (not just military echelons) also thought of kick-starting and spur several development projects in their respective constituencies/areas using the same or similar thinking. We would have had enough schools, clinics, clean water and other social amenities for everyone throughout the country. In general, when people commit/invest their own hard-earned resources (time, money and energy) into something, they add value, and that sense of ownership will lead will lead to more sense of care, responsibility and accountability, which is ultimately equal to sustainability and efficiency.
Ideally, Gen. Brig. Gen. Majier Deng Kur did not have to wait to see the shocking state of those wounded soldiers in tents to be inspired and motivated solicit these funds to build those wards. Investing in functional and universally accessible health care by all throughout South Sudan, not just for the military, should have been one of the top priorities for this government. Budgetary allocations must be thoroughly reviewed and any distributive formulas should be realigned such that less and less national funds are allocated to the military, the office of the president and national security and more allocations for health, education, providing clean water, more food and repairing up the social cords/bonds that have been broken by the current war.
A healthy, educated, less-armed and peaceful population is ideal and a lot better for the economic well-being and prosperity for our country than having a heavily armed & crazily tribalised army and nationality security apparatus whose propensity to turn those lethal weapons onto their own unarmed & unsuspecting ignorant civil population is unbelievably high.
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