Forceful disarmament was urgently needed to remove civilian guns and restore security in Juba, Lainya and Terekeka counties, Central Equatoria State Governor Clement Wani said recently in Kajokeji.

Stressing that security was the "backbone of all states", Mr. Wani said the area's future was unpredictable in its current insecure state, as he opened Central Equatoria's second county commissioner's forum on 26 August.

Lainya Commissioner Samuel Suba noted that the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) also frequently terrorized Lainya citizens. "In 2008, the LRA abducted 21 people. Five were discharged, but 16 are still in the bushes."

Focusing on developments and challenges in the state, the forum also discussed agriculture, tribal conflict, health, education and preparations for elections scheduled for April 2010.

Terekeka Commissioner Juma Ali said drought in his state had claimed most of its crops this year. "All the grass and the planted crops have dried up. There is no difference between those who dug (planted) and those who did not."

According to Commissioner Suba, many Lainya people had begun farms, but Ministry of Agricuture distribution of tools was often delayed. "The farmers have had poor yields this year because they missed suitable planting seasons."

Frequent cattle, sheep and goat rustling had sparked tension in Juba County, stated that county's commissioner, Pious Subek. "In Northern Bari, Rajaband Onduruba payams (townships), the raids resulted from cattle herders encroaching in to graze on other people's soils, triggering resentment by the host communities."

Mr. Subek proposed marking animal's ears for easy identification, or introducing taxes on animals so they would be documented.

World Bank representative Spencer Kenyi said introducing fences would help curb animal rustling. "Cattle keepers should invest in good systems of keeping animals ... They should introduce such methods as paddocking and zero-grazing (with fences) to minimize thefts and raids."

Juba Commissioner Subek noted the high rate of land grabbing in his county. "Someone can come with a gun and build a house on somebody's plot. This has created division, hatred, and disunity among different tribal groupings in the county."

Promoting microfinance or development projects in the state would help eradicate hostility undermining these programmes, according to Mr. Kenyi. "The World Bank supports a ... minority who are organized in groups...the active poor, not the sleeping poor will be supported."

Addressing health, Commissioner Ali said Terekeka Country lamented medical facilities in his area, which depended entirely on water from the Nile or streams prone to waterborne diseases. "All its health facilities are dilapidated...with only four rooms for the whole population ... drugs are also badly needed."

Commissioner Subek pointed to poor sewage disposal in Juba. "If it rains, this waste is dumped into the River Nile, on which a large majority of the people depend," adding that the county has begun construction of toilets in all markets centres of the city.

Concerning education, Terekeka Commissioner Ali said just two secondary schools were available in his county, but only one was operational. Terekeka desperately needed educational support from both the Government of Southern Sudan and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), he added.

Lainya County had the poorest educational performance, likely because more than 70 per cent of its teachers were unlicensed, stated Mr. Suba.

Gov. Wani called for assistance from the UN family, NGOs and well-wishers in creating electoral awareness, training of electoral staff and coordination of international assistance for elections in the state.

Commissioner Suba urged all county commissioners in the state to play key roles in providing a peaceful environment for elections in their counties.

"You have a big responsibility in ensuring the security of elections," cautioned an adviser to the state governor, Henry Danga, during his closing speech.