By Jackson Gaaniko Mathew
The South Sudanese based association Greater Equatoria Land Alliance (GELA) has provided vital support to vulnerable individuals in Nzara County, Western Equatoria State, by issuing land release certificates—commonly referred to as plot certificates—at no cost.
During the handover ceremony, Mr. Gordon Kumbagako Basa, the State Coordinator for GELA, expressed gratitude to the Western Equatoria government for fostering peace.
He emphasized the importance of peace for meaningful progress.
“Peace is the foundation that enables our organization to effectively implement our initiatives.” He stated.
Mr. Basa urged the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities to work closely with partners addressing land issues, emphasizing the importance of accountability to both the government and the community.
He also highlighted that stronger partnerships between the ministry, its collaborators, and local communities are crucial for effective land management.
“We urge the community to take responsibility for land demarcation. Public, community, and private lands must be managed, preserved, and protected. It is vital that all categories of land are safeguarded according to government regulations,” he noted.
Basa also expressed concern over reports of illegal land grabbing involving individuals in government, the military, and other positions of power, asserting that justice must be pursued through the courts to prevent such unlawful actions.
Mr. Kazilio Venasio, the Executive Director of Nzara County, commended GELA for initiating this project and advocated for continued support for vulnerable people in Western Equatoria State.
Mrs. Natalia Zereda John, Deputy Chairlady of the Nzara Women’s Association, called on GELA to ensure equal services and fair selection for the community.
Beneficiaries of this initiative expressed their gratitude for the land release certificates, which they previously could not afford due to financial constraints.
The support primarily targeted vulnerable groups, including widows, divorced women, and the elderly, facilitated by GELA with assistance from Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).
