An Open Letter to Governor Philip Aguer Panyaang of Jonglei State
6 min readBy Daniel Machar Dhieu, Juba, South Sudan
February 6, 2016 (SSB) — Dear Governor Philip Aguer Panyang, I would like to congratulate you on the trust given to you by the President of Republic of South Sudan H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit to appoint you as governor of Jonglei on 24th Dec, 2015 through order No. 36. Additionally, Jonglei people have given you the mandate to implement the infrastructural development projects and security plan you promised to them during your campaigned and therefore, they expect everything possible in your leadership.
I am an ordinary member of Jonglei, writing to you to express my opinion and expectations for your first term’s administration as governor of Jonglei State. I want to tell you that in Jonglei State you are going to develop a government that will be led by the people, by which I mean a bottom up and down approach in policy formulation, because there are so many things/challenges confronting our people in our state.
Our state has been in violence for many years without any improvement at all. Our state has been surrounded by notable enemies such as Nuer in the North, Murle in the East and Mundari in the South, all these communities has been disturbing us for so long. At this time we need your commitment to bring this violence to an end so that we enjoy our state with free heart.
Within the communities of greater Bor, there are reported conflicts disturbing our local communities in the counties, payams and Boma level. People developed the spirit of divisionism from clan to clan threatening themselves for no good reason. I want your administration to take note on this and dialogue to all the leaders of these communities to accept peace and reconciliation. Hon. Philip, I want to assure you that the above mentioned problems exist for sometimes but none of former governors done something at all, so I don’t wish you to be the same.
So the best way to get your priorities right is to ensure that you consult with your people so that they partake in the process of ordering your priorities, which is why I emphasis on you in all to do whatever good for our local citizen. I also want you to clarify people and by that I mean our people believe that once you are in government, you are something special and that is why everybody will refer to you as ‘Your Excellency’, some will say ‘My Excellency’. But all of that is a South Sudanese disease. They will not help you to expectation they will be one making you fail at other hand.
I want to crave your indulgence to do what you can do best base on what you found as a challenge when you were touring all the counties of Jonglei State while keeping all of statements and promises in mind during your starting point. Obviously, there is a noticeable development around the three counties where you can start from. You deserve to be commended! However, there are areas I think you can do more in your first term to make the state a better place to live.
Now is the best opportunity for you to demystify governance in Jonglei as you have stated on several occasions during you touring to all areas of Jonglei. Jonglei State history records will magistrate you based on the differentiating factors between your governorship and the past governors that mismanaged and wasted the resources of the state. I will suggest that you take a closer look into these areas that I think need urgent attention:
Jonglei state youths are now good for nothing but to be used as political animals. Let Jonglei youths know that being a violet trendy member will do them more harm than good. Create jobs for the youths. If they have jobs, they will most likely have no time to plan kidnappings for payment. This will reduce the spate of kidnappings and youth gang violence in the State. Ensure Government workers get the necessary training before being deployed to public service. It is disrespectful that most government workers lack workers mandate, I came across that in Juba one time I found some workers lack the communication skills or the right training to provide public service.
For example, while in Juba Street, I observed the traffic agency (officials) workers acting against countrywide traffic procedure. When they feel a driver has violated traffic rule, they will jump into the car and start dragging the steering wheel with the driver while the car is still in motion. I am not sure if that was what they were told in their training but that is not done anywhere in the world! Jonglei State workforce need to be trained for the workers regulations and state reality.
Set measurable and achievable goals for your administration. Everyday think about what will the entire population of Jonglei State remembered you for, when you leave office? Our people need Constant and sustainable electricity? Availability of constant clean water? Repairs and construction of roads? Non-looting of public fund officials? Poverty reduction? Funding quality education? And the list goes on. If you do the above then you have reach the point of delivering services to people and the vision of SPLM of taking town to people will be meaningful, at last you will be remembered for what you have done to people of Jonglei.
On a personal note, I remember the former governor of Jonglei State Hon. Kuol Manyang Juuk today because he built the headquarters of Police and prison service in (Tibek) Bor town during his governorship. He also introduced the policy of keeping Bor town clean and good security within the town. I do not remember any other governor in recent times for anything besides how much they looted from the treasury of the State. Please do not follow their path and therefore, be more self-confidence and have that independence mind of development.
Ensure that anyone you appoint to serve in your first term understand his or her job responsibilities and have the interest of the Jonglei people at heart. They must be able to deliver service to people. Do not appoint those who see public office as the means to acquire wealth. Therefore, I expect that no weak-minded, paunchy lazy official should be allowed in your administration. Build the bridge to move Jonglei State from being a consumer society to the future of a manufacturing and entrepreneurial society.
Mandate the ministry of education to formulate policies and strategies to promote good education in the state. Our children must not see examination malpractice as the new normal. This must be stopped. If nothing is done about this, we will produce another generation of un-creative and uneducated populace that lack the mental capacity to be productive citizens. So Comrade, I will end it here until I can write to you again. May God guide and give you the leadership ability to demystify governance in Jonglei. God bless you and good luck!
Best Wishes,
The author Daniel Machar Dhieu, is a student at South Sudan Christian University, Juba South Sudan and can be reached via his email: Daniel Machar Dhieu <machardhieu@gmail.com>
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