RUMBEK – The Panyon community of Rumbek Central County in South Sudan’s Lakes State on Wednesday celebrated the creation of Cuei-adukan Payam during a colourful inauguration ceremony.
Speaking at the event, Lakes State Minister of Cabinet Affairs Stephen Mathiang Deng said Cuei-adukan had previously been one of the bomas under Amongpiny Payam in the county’s local government system.
He explained that the long distance between Cuei-adukan and Amongpiny — nearly 90 miles — left residents feeling marginalised.
“The farther you are from the administrative centre of Amongpiny Payam, the more you are marginalised,” Deng said. “That is why the governor of Lakes State, Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, responded to the call of the people by creating a new payam to bring services closer to them. This is the policy of the SPLM/SPLA: to take towns to the people instead of people to towns.”
Deng emphasized that the establishment of Cuei-adukan Payam was done legally and based on clear requirements, including population size, economic viability, and distance from the administrative center.
He praised the community’s efforts, noting that sons and daughters of Abien-ajok Payam had already mobilized about 20 million South Sudanese Pounds to support the construction of a new administrative office.
“If they can raise such an amount in less than five hours, that is a clear sign of economic viability,” Deng said. “The people of Cuei-adukan are capable of sustaining their payam through taxes, which will in turn fund services.”
On land and border disputes, the minister reminded local chiefs that such issues are the responsibility of government authorities, not traditional leaders.
Women leaders also welcomed the development. Rose Arop Makur, chairlady of women in Cuei-adukan Payam, expressed joy and gratitude.
“I am very grateful to Governor Rin Tueny Mabor, our commissioner Dut Manak, the chiefs, and neighbouring communities for making this dream a reality,” she said. “It is now our collective responsibility, with government and partner support, to build hospitals, schools, a police station, and administrative offices.”
Traditional authorities echoed similar sentiments. Paramount Chief Sabit Kuac Manyiel stated that the new payam would promote peace and development.
“Our priority is to build an administration office and a police station,” he said. “These, together with schools and a hospital, are the indicators of a real administrative payam. As chiefs, we are ready to contribute. Today, the community donated 14 cows, and we will continue to work hard to support the growth of this payam.”
He added confidently that while Cuei-adukan Payam is small, it will soon outpace others in development across Lakes State.
Executive Chief Majak Deng Mabok of Maleng-agok Payam, who attended the event, said neighbouring communities were also happy about the promotion of Cuei-adukan.
“We thank Governor Rin Tueny Mabor for implementing the SPLM slogan of taking towns to the people,” Majak said. “Today we are celebrating Cuei-adukan, and tomorrow we look forward to doing the same for Abien-ajok Payam.”
