Yakani welcomes move to probe illicit Morobo teak logging

Activist Emund Yakani has welcomed Speaker Nunu Kumba’s decision to probe alleged illegal logging  in Morobo County of Central Equatoria state, and called for those involved to be held to account.

Last week, national legislature speaker formed a seven-member committee to investigate reported logging activities, and its environmental impact in Morobo County after some area MPs raised the concern.

In a statement to Eye Radio newsroom on Monday,  Mr. Yakani said “the rampant illegal logging in Morobo County is carried out by influential individuals in the government, security and defense institutions including some countries in the region.”

He said the established committee should bring out results, citing  past  investigations in Kajo-keji and Lainya Counties of Central Equatoria Sate ended in vein.

“No tangible decisions were generated and concrete actions undertaken to preventing further illegal logging,” said Mr. Yakani.

The activist added that illegal logging is fueling violence in South Sudan and denying the host communities their right to wealth.

He also said  illegal logging has direct negative implication on the environment and climate, and that the loggers should be placed on international  sanctions list for causing extreme negative impact on humanity.

‘With all these negative implication individuals or companies dealing in illegal logging should be held accountable before competent court of law,” he urged.

In the meantime, Yakani said,  the organization – “CEPO, will be effectively and proactively tracking the work of the established committee that is tasked to investigate the rampant illegal logging in Morobo county.

 

 

Man detained in Nagero for allegedly blacksmithing firearms

Nagero County Commissioner in Western Equatoria State has confirmed the detention of a 38-year-old after he was allegedly found in possession of materials for making firearms long Wau-Tambura Road

38-year-old Michael Zanga Zee, a resident of Hai Zande in Wau was reported to have gone missing  on Tuesday.

He had boarded a passenger car from Wau to Tambura to visit his relatives.

According to his wife Agnes Angelo, one of the passengers who identified himself as only Bazungua told her that her husband was arrested at Boo – a border point between Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal State.

According to her, she was in communication with her husband until at 11:00pm on Tuesday when she lost contact with him.

“At around 11 pm, a person called me with a new number, and told me that while they were traveling together with my husband to Tambura was removed by some people him from the car,  beaten, tied and thrown into a thorn-prison and  left there,” she said.

Speaking to Eye Radio via phone from Wau this morning, Agnes said, she learnt that her husband has been detained in Boo and tortured.

“But the person who introduced himself as Bazungua did not tell me who arrested him.”

Agnes has not heard from the husband for two days now.

“Now life has become very hard for us here because since this incident occurred up to now, we have not heard from him and the whereabouts.”

 When contacted by Eye Radio, Nagero County Commissioner Gabriel Nvolo confirmed the detention of the man, saying he was found with materials for making firearms leading to his arrest.

“He was found with material  for making firearms, he was carrying almost 30 pieces of this iron used for making firearms and they are ammunition. So he had to be detained.

“There are some people who were in the same vehicle and they had no problem. He was the only him who was detained.

He added that Micheal will be transferred from the detention at the checkpoint to the County.

“The government called that they brought him from the checkpoint to the County. Yesterday we talked with them and they said there was no transport or motorbike.”

For his part, Azande Community leader Mazaura Micheal called for the unconditional release of the Micheal Zangazee and if charged, should to be presented before a competent court of justice.

“What we need is his immediate and unconditional release . Incase he committed a crime based on the laws of South Sudan, he should to be presented before a competent law to be proven right or guilty.

“That is what we need we also request the authorities of Nagero county where he is arrested together with the government of Western Equatoria to ensure his safety and unconditional release,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ibba County gets new bridge, ending months of transport barriers

Locals in Ibba County in Western Equatoria State are now connected to the state capital, Yambio and Juba as the construction of a new lifeline bridge replacing the old one which was swept away by river flooding in October last year has been inaugurated.

The collapse of Kuyango bridge last year by heavy rain cut off movement between the area, Yambio, Maridi and the national capital, Juba.

“Last year the bridge on Ibba road broke down, and the state government wrote to him (National Minister of Roads and Bridges ,Simon Mijak Mijok) and the minister responded positively and the bridge was constructed.

This hindered local farmers from transporting their produce by roads, and seriously ill persons from accessing the national referral hospital in Juba.

“This bridge is going to be very useful to the community of Western Equatoria in bringing goods fromJuba.

Also when they are sick and are refereed to Juba Teaching Hospital, they use will this road to travel andour farmers can take their produce to Juba.

Speaking to Eye Radio Tuesday morning, Western Equatoria State Minister of Roads and Bridges said, the newly constructed bridge will be useful to the state and the locals.

Anna Tuna Anna added that the national Minister OF Roads and Bridges, Simon Mijok Mijak will also asses the road networks in the state.

“He will tour the roads within Western Equatoria, the trank roads, and also the urban roads within the state headquarters to see for himself on how he can help the people of Western Equatoria State to rehabilitate these roads.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suspected Yambio teen wanted for series of thefts arrested

A young man wanted by police for criminal charges has been arrested as he attempted to steal mobile phones from Yambio Civil Hospital in Western Equatoria State.

Yambio County Commissioner Mbiko Barakat told Eye Radio on Wednesday.

He said that a 19-year-old man he named as only Pascal was arrested last night at around 11:00PM.

According to Barakat, the teenager who had been looked for, for a long time by the Criminal Investigation Department is now in a police custody.

“One wanted person was arrested yesterday (Tuesday) at Yambio hospital trying to steal some mobile phones. He was a wanted person by the crime investigation office for a long time ago.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), he happened to come again to steal some phones in Yambio referral hospital. He is under custody and he’s still going under investigation by the CID personnel who arrested him.

Barakat said the Police in western Equatoria state are investing him in connection with series of banditry attacks including theft in Yambio county.

 

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