The Bari community in Juba declined this morning to offer any land to the government to build a federal capital for the new country in or around Juba.
Alfred Lado Gore, who chairs the Bari community, officially submitted the document which contains Bari’s stand on the issue of the capital to Oyay Deng Ajak, the GoSS minister who leads the committee to investigate the site for the new capital, Bakhita Radio reported.Dr. Phillip Tongun, spokesperson of the Bari community, read the document which stated that the Bari people declined to accept the suggestions made by GoSS for the establishment of the capital in or around Juba.
The document says land is central to the Bari people and its only resource left because of the war situation.
It also said the Bari land is not so big and the community thought of securing it to accommodate displaced Baris coming home.
From his part, Minister Deng thanked the Bari community for taking time to consult their people to get their views on the government’s proposals.
He welcomed the Bari position and said that the Committee for the new capital city will wait ofr the position of Central Equatoria authorities because the state did not yet give any report.
Mr. Deng pointed out that the Ramchiel community in Lakes State welcomed GoSS’ proposal for the building capital without any condition.
He added that the committee will discuss the issues and then report to the president, and the final decision will be taken by the council of ministers.
GoSS ministers of Housing and Infrastructure, Jema Nunu Nkumba, and Culture and Heritage Gabriel Changson Chang, Juba Paramount chief and other government officials witnessesed the hand over of the Bari document.