Terekeka County officials including Commissioner Warnyang Luko were pictured with Eye Media CEO Stephen Omiri at the County Headquarters. | Photo: Eye Radio.

The Commissioner of Terekeka County in Central Equatoria State on Monday appealed to Eye Radio to expand its coverage to the county to sensitize communities on peace.

Warnyang Luko says a media presence in the area will help promote peaceful co-existence, and reduce intra-clan conflict and cattle raiding between Terekeka people and their neighbors.

Terekeka borders Juba County to the south, Western Equatoria State to the west, Lakes State and Jonglei State to the north, and Eastern Equatoria State to the east.

Commissioner Luko made the appeal on World Radio Day which Eye Radio celebrated in Terekeka this week.

“You know radio is like a phone it is the fastest medium of communication for awareness creation. Radio quickens dissemination of public information like news, education programs, and even cultural activities,” said Luko.

On his part, Hon. Richard, a member of Central Equatoria State legislative assembly said the people need awareness through radio as the only effective tool of sensitization.

“Our people need awareness and radio is the right tool we need radio speaks to the ear and is direct to the heart. Mundari keeps cattle and everyone wants more cattle resulting in cattle rustling,” he said.

“So, Mundari needs a radio. Radio is very important. They need education through Radio.”

“Radio is the first help to a county commissioner or all leaders because radio is fast and you can listen to it while in your bed and get the information you need. The only time you can miss information from the radio is if you cannot turn your radio on but if your radio is on you will find the information you need,” said Kaku, deputy chairperson of Terekeka women.

“Radio disseminates accurate information and with radio, you will receive the information in the format it was delivered it cannot be distorted,” she added.

“We women have a lot of concerns and if there is radio here we would have used it to pass our concerns. Our people like hearing from their leaders therefore if the message is delivered by their leaders they will know who is speaking and they will be receptive.”

“So, we are requesting you to assist us because information does not get to Juba easily because sometimes the network is poor but if you bring Eye Radio here it will ease information dissemination.”

Demography

Terekeka is home to 246,483 people as per the 2020 population projection. However, the actual figure stands at 144,373 as per the 2008 population census.

The area is in Central Equatoria State with its inhabitant as the Mundari people, who are traditionally cattle herders.

The Mundari tribe is said to be a section of the Karo people, and live in Terekeka, Gemeiza, Mangalla, Muni, Tombek, Tindilo, Tali, Rego, Tijor, Rijong, Koweri, and Nyori are Mundari’s main settlements.

Economy and Livelihoods

Mundari people are both cattle herders and farmers. They also engage in fishing activities as another viable source of livelihood.

The Nile River runs down the eastern bank of Terekeka town and Lake Madi is situated in the county’s west.

Terekeka county falls within the Ironstone Plateau agro-pastoral livelihoods zone. It is situated both on low swamps and hills in the southern part of the county.

Peace Dividend

Terekeka county is the first county to enjoy peace dividend after the construction of Juba -Bor modern infrastructure. It takes 45 minutes to drive from Juba to Terekeka and back.

Many young people travel to Terekeka for weekends Saturday and Sunday for a change and to enjoy fresh fish from River Nile.

Conflict dynamic

Terekeka being in a strategic location is prone to conflict, especially with its neighbors’ resources such as water, land, and cattle raiding.

With poverty and high bride prices, youth take up cattle raiding which leads to the loss of lives and cattle.

Radio will act as a bridge and a tool to educate masses of people to shun harmful practices such as cattle raiding and promote life skill education.