A youth union in Rumbek Central County of Lakes State has rejected the proposed construction of a secondary school at Akoljal Jiir Payam with funds from the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
Majok Arop Majok is the Chairman of Rup Youth Union. He told Good News Radio that the youth from Mayom, Amongpiny, and Malek payams rejected the proposed school project, and want primary schools and health facilities instead.He said the youths urged area members to engage in wider consultations that will bring together representatives from all payams in Rumbek Central to identify projects that will benefit the entire community.
Rumbek Central County National Member of Parliament Zechariah Matur Makuer said over the phone from Juba that the Constituency Development Committee decided to build the Akoljal Secondary School after consultation meetings in April.
He revealed that the committee informed him of the need to build an additional secondary school to decongest Rumbek National Secondary School, clarifying that the decision on CDF-funded projects are taken by community members.
Mr Matur said any claim that he influenced the decision to build the proposed secondary school in Akoljal Jiir Payam is wrong because the Law bans MPs from interfering with the CDF projects.
He added that the legal provision guards against CDF misuse by politicians who may be interested in advancing their political interests with common funds.
In April, Mr Matur told Good News Radio that about 2.2 million Pounds were set aside for development projects in Rumbek Central County.