The Republic of South Sudan ranks near the bottom of the human development indexes with half the population depending on less than one US dollar a day.
UN representative in Eastern Equatoria state, Winnie Babihuga, remarked during independence celebration at Torit Freedom Square last Saturday that the development statistics of the Republic of South Sudan worry the international community, Emmanuel Radio reported.South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality rate and illiteracy among the female population is put over 80 per cent.
The UN urges the government of the Republic of South Sudan to address critical issues of poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure.
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore urged the people of South Sudan to work hard to improve the economy of the new nation.
He pointed out that cattle rustling is the biggest challenge to security.
Mr. Lobong asked the citizens to play an active role in ensuring that such practices come to an end.
He also called on South Sudanese to develop a culture of hard work by making use of the land for agricultural purposes and become self-reliant.
The governor encouraged the parents to take their children to school as a means to transform the political independence of the new nation into social and economic independence.