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of Abyei to be resolved,” Marial told in cost-effective exploration of the be concentrating on fine-tuning the
Gurtong. agricultural sector, it will be one way of 2013/2014 annual budget.
“They will propose a solution like they eradicating poverty in the country as the Government is also seeking finances in
have a proposal now which we have dominant illiterate population in the order to enhance major development
endorsed, if we don’t agree with Sudan country survives in the sector. projects like building roads, finding high
on this then the proposal will have to Last year the United Nations sources of power, enhancing delivery
be presented to the AUPSC of fifteen Coordination Office of Humanitarian of services to the people, improving
countries and that will go according Affairs in South Sudan warned that education standards – improving
to resolution 2046 of the UN Security over two million people in the country girl-child education and health.
Council, it will become a binding would be food insecure, resulting from The government is also working to build
solution,” he said. natural disasters and other political and an alternative pipeline since Khartoum
nd development partners, thereby economic factors. is still reluctant to let the South Sudan
leaving the core nation building Other plans in focus oil pass.
functions less attended to. Marial said that as long as oil does not “So we are struggling in building our
Amidst these political and economic start to flow, austerity measures will three refineries now. We are also working
challenges, according to foreign
dignitaries and the elite of South Sudan,
the September agreements bring hope
for the development of the new nation.
“So there is no dead end to this. We either
agree or AUPSC will take decisions that
they recommend to the UN Security
Council (UNSC). On issues of borders,
if we cannot agree on the disputed areas,
we can go for international arbitration
like we did in the case of Abyei border
demarcation,” added Marial.
Agriculture
Marial further exclusively revealed that
the government will want to better its
focus on agriculture in 2013 as a second
case to the full implementation of post
secession matters, saying it is a step
aimed at broadening non-oil revenues in
South Sudan.
President Salva Kiir and his team at Juba International Airport soon after arrival from the African
“Agriculture is also a primary focus that Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29 January 2013. [Gurtong | Waakhe Simon Wudu]
is why our citizens are being encouraged.
As the rainy season is coming, they must continue. “We should upgrade the out on the transport system connecting
actually begin to engage in farming from ability of non-oil revenue. It must be us to Ethiopia which is about 300
the Presidency to the ordinary people raised and this goes to the way we have kilometers of road. We also have to
in the village,” Marial said adding that been collecting our taxes; the way in extend the road to Yei. So there are these
“We are expected to enhance our food which we can enhance and improve the projects which our financial ability can
security, so agriculture is the main private investment that can create jobs,” provide,” said Marial.
primary focus.” Marial said.
Experts said if more emphasis is put He also added that government will

Gurtong Focus Monthly February 2013| 17