The ministry of Finance is printing a new currency, the Culture Ministry is giving the John Garang Mausoleum a new shine, and the football team is preparing for an international match with the Ethiopian team, reports MOI PETER JULIUS:
In Juba town roundabout near Juba Teaching Hospital, a clock counts down seconds to Independence Day. It’s less than 15 days to Independence, and officials are in a hurry to be ready for the new times, yet a lot remains to do as the clock chimes.
Earlier this year, Government earmarked 94SDG million for the celebration, apportioned to states, down to Payams. Government expects dozens of heads of State to attend, many of them Presidents.
Yet, because of the occasion, this is still not enough.
A new currency and an upgraded airport
In Eastern Equatoria, for instance, the deputy Governor, Nartisio Loluke has asked civil society organizations, business community and individuals to generously contribute some cash for the day. Morobo county last week also issued an appeal. In Central Equatoria, Governor Clement Wani Konga promised a celebration down to the Payam. And Mayor El Haj Babala together with the ministry of Health and some Non-Governmental organizations are enmeshed in a “Keep Juba Clean Operation”. “Juba city has to keep clean, especially at a time when we host such an important event of our independence. We are organized for general cleanliness every Saturday; whoever is free can join hands to keep our city clean” said Babala, the mayor of Juba city
The ministry of Culture in the Government of south Sudan has been rehabilitating Dr. John Garang Mausoleum since it will host the event, Juba stadium where an international match will be played between South Sudan and Ethiopia is almost getting ready for the occasion
Another attempt at beautifying the city is the painting doors blue especially the commercial buildings
The international Airport in Juba took is undergoing renovation so as to handle the number of foreign guests attending the ceremony.
Gabriel Ladu, a resident of Munuki Payam in Juba City council calls the day historic and very momentous
“Our long suffering will now end if we transform this freedom to peaceful and harmonious co-existence with each other,” he said. “This means those who perished in the longest war like our late Hero Dr. John Garang did not die for nothing”
GoSS Minister of Finance and Economic Planning has said that the region is already printing new currency ahead of independence to be known as South Sudan pound, he told reporters in Juba, the Southern capital
“We are printing a new currency, but we are maintaining secrecy, for, the independence will be in July”, he explained.
At the ministry of Regional Cooperation, officials are planning a shift. The ministry will now become Foreign Affairs. Last week the ministry held a three-day workshop aimed at this transformation. Deng Alor said that the workshop has brought together all heads of GoSS missions and consultants to develop a strategy and other blueprints for the envisaged Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan. Officials hope to develop a foreign policy for the GOSS, but they are staring at too much work to do, and too little time.
