— MICHAEL THON MANGOK—
A new Republic is born. The citizenry is excited. Congratulatory messages have trickled in from our neighbors. It was a lifetime achievement. The morning after is usually when the tough questions begin.
First, we must come up with a government that has capacity to run the country.
We must move over from the appeasement politics where officials are appointed to please various groups. Now we have a Republic to serve. And those who always think every problem needs a hammer may need to learn how to agree to disagree.
This is an opportunity to define our destiny and I personally believe that we need a five-year vision plan to achieve a basic level that can let this country run.
BUILD ROADS
Build the roads. From Nimule to Malakal, Nadapal to Awiel and from Yei to Tumbura. Each would be given to two international companies supervised by our local engineers and government intelligence. Let the indigenous companies like Ayat, ABMC construct inter-state roads; this will improve security of our population and facilitate rural developments.
AGRICULTURE
Our officials in the ministry of Agriculture know only how to talk about what vast land we have. Tell them to stop talking.
Let the minister show us which project she/he has implemented which can supply food to even a single state. None, yet an agricultural farm would employ thousands of demobilized people, feed millions, earn foreign exchange, and cost less than a million dollars to start.
Education
As a new nation, the quest for accumulation and acquisition of relevant knowledge will be paramount. Without proper planning, we may have high educational gaps; therefore, we should build in every county 25 primary schools, 10 high schools, 1 university and a research center in every state.
This will give us a foundation to teach our children.
The President should initiate special programs under his office to add to his legacy; build a Hospital, orphanage, social care centre, disability centre and administrative centre in every payam. This will facilitate the vision of taking town to people and it will help the government to send home those who can no longer serve in the government.
Our six years during interim period were never successful — one old man summarized them as the “Six years of looting”. Our performance has been erratic.
We must have clear priorities to follow.
The road ahead is still tricky; it will require a lot of patience, tolerance and level headedness. We must rise above divisions, do what is best for our country, and not pander to partisan interests of certain individuals or sections in society.
The country is bigger than individuals or tribes and must always be given its pride.
Let us take this country wholeheartedly as we did during the wartime to prove to our martyrs that this peace will last for generations, and to the rest of the world that we are worth running this country — without becoming a failed state as the doomsday prophets contemplate.
The writer, a journalist and a social critic, can be reached at kochadit@gmail.com
