GFDA: Creating a forum for debate and action

The community of Otogo Payam in Southern Sudan no longer wants to wait for the government to fix their roads. They are now organising their own road work.

By Janne Bruvoll, information officer, MS Sudan

11. February 2010

19 December 2009, the community members of Otogo Payam came together in a meeting initiated by the MS partner organisation Gire Farmers’ Development Association (GFDA).

“We have a close contact with the community and the community members came to us with some concerns and asked us to provide a forum for discussing them. The idea of calling this meeting was to make people informed on their obligations as citizens. We always tell them about their rights, but we also want them to come out with their concerns and do something about them,” says Samuel Bidal Ganya, director of GFDA.

Among the participants in the meeting were traditional leaders and representatives from the civil society groups in the area.

“The immediate issue that they discussed was the road between Iwatoka and Yei. Everyone agreed that a better road is the main development need of the area. With better infrastructure and a better link to Yei, other developments would follow. For instance, the farmers would be able to get their produce to the market in Yei,” says Samuel Bidal Ganya.

At the meeting, the community pledged to contribute at least 30 drums of diesel and accommodation and food for the crew doing the road work and it was decided that the community would request Central Equatoria State to provide machines, personnel and more fuel. A letter was therefore sent to the governor for Central Equatoria State, Clement Wani Konga, who has promised to look into the issue.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the fact that no support through the Constituency Development Funds was given to Otogo Payam. Therefore, a letter was also written to the chairman of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Yei River County, Mathews Muktar, asking where the money given to Yei River County had been directed.

The Otogo community formed a committee of 10 members who are to follow up on the road work and the letters sent.

Samuel Bidal Ganya is convinced the debate and action have had a positive effect on the people of Otogo Payam.

“I feel confident that the people will challenge the candidates coming to this area to campaign. The people here are now enlightened and they want to know exactly what development plans to expect and how the Constituency Development Funds will be allocated in the future.”

For more information about the activities of GFDA, contact Samuel Bidal Ganya, director, GFDA (+256 477 137 375 or gire.association@yahoo.com).