The parliament in Northern Bahr al-Ghazal State has called on the national government to deliver their share of tractors that were distributed by the Office of the President.

The 1,000 tractors were to be distributed to all the ten states to improve agriculture.

The MPs say their state was given 76 tractors, but have not been transported for use during this planting season.

“I want to appeal to the state and national governments to transport all these tractors to NBGS even though the time is gone,” said Hon Santino Mayuat Ngong, who represents Maper Constituency.

Some state MPs have accused the state Minister of Agriculture of failing to properly coordinate the delivery of the tractors.

The chairman of the Information and Public Relations committee, Achak Thiep, says the minister has neglected his duties.

For his part, the state minister of agriculture, Lual Dau, says the delay is due to logistical problems, which he did not specify.

He denied accusations of negligence and says that the authorities should have a plan on how to maintain the tractors.

The state MPs have summoned Mr Lual three times this month to explain ways to improve food production this year.

They believe that delaying tractors for another season will increase food insecurity. But Mr Lual insists that food production will improve this year.