The Maridi community in Juba has rejected a move by the Western Equatoria State Government to create a new Payam in Mangua.

The proposed Payam at Mangua village would be located three miles from Maridi County.

An elder of Maridi community in Juba, Waiwai Philip, says that the Western Equatoria State Government did not consult them before making the decision.

“Why should the Governor dictate this on the community? If he wanted to do that, they should have consulted the community,” said Mr. Waiwai.

However, Minister of Information in Western Equatoria State, Charles Kisanga, says the community was consulted during the entire process:

“It is not true to say that ….. You create a County inside another County because when the County is bigger, then you make another County out of it, when the Payam is bigger, you divide it up.

“So, we are not creating one inside another one, but we are dividing it up.”

Mr. Kisanga said the issue has been politicized.

“If we can listen to all the politics going on, it will mean that we shall never progress and we shall never do anything.”

Last month, seven members from Maridi County in Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly walked out of the parliament after the issue was tabled for discussion.