Residents of Hatire Payam in Eastern Equatoria State questioned Imotong Constituency Member of Parliament or MP why community teak exploitation was paid in South Sudanese Pounds instead of US Dollars.
Community Secretary Ben Otto argued that the agreement indicates that the concessionaire pays 20 thousand US Dollar into community account, asking MP Alberio Tobiolo to explain why the payment was done in Pounds, Radio Emmanuel reported.
Hatire community chairperson in Torit Taban Karleto also asked whether Mr Karvelo contacted the people before signing agreement with the government.
A member of the community, Victor Achieng asked why the Dollar was not given to the community to exchange than paying in Pounds.
The area MP Tobiolo defended the payment of the community fund in Pounds by reading a clause in the agreement, advising the community to desist from unlawful acts towards the teak forest concessionaire.
Over two hundred community members from the five Bomas of Hatire Payam attended the meeting chaired by the Chief executive officer Masimino Ajiya.