Residents of Africa Boma in Torit County have rejected a decision made by state council of ministers relocating them to Geria County.
On 20th August this year, Torit State Council of Ministers passed resolution transferring the community from Torit to Geria County.
The council of ministers claims that it was a demand of the community.
But Loboi Hilary, a team leader for Africa Boma says they were taken by surprise upon hearing that they are now part of Geria County.
In a petition dated October 7, 2019, Africa Boma community members say there was no wider consultation in grassroots, accusing some individuals for being behind the move.
The petition was addressed to Torit State Ministry of Local Government, copied to national security, Torit County and Himodonge Payam.
Hilary recognized government’s effort in providing the area with facilities like police station, hospitals and schools.
‘We have come here to tell about the problem that happened to us on 4th October. We didn’t know that Africa Boma is moved to Geria County. That’s why the community sat down and selected a team to follow up their problems. That’s why when we came; this issue pained us a lot. Torit is a place near us. The government of Torit County has given us police station, hospital is there for us, and schools are there for us. That’s the main reason we are saying we cannot go to any county we don’t know about. That’s why we are saying we cannot go’, Loboi reads the petition.
The community team leader adds that their safety is good in Torit County after the long term relationship.
‘The security here is safe; you can walk everywhere whether at day or night time. That’s why we are saying we cannot go to a place we don’t know. Those people who know that they are near there, let them go they are still our brothers. Because this thing is just like your children, if another one chooses that I want this girl in his life, he will go to that girl then the other one also takes his, even you as father you cannot force. That’s why we are saying our father raised us and we are going to his side’, he says.
Another member, Ohide Dominic Himiri says he sees no reason why they should be shifted from Torit to Geria County.
‘I never heard of any single thing made by the government Geria County. No! So that’s the reason why we are saying we are remaining as community of Torit and also the land of Torit, some of us originated from Torit and even some of our heroes died in Torit .And all this land is under Torit, says Dominic.
Torit County Executive Director Solomon Ochuho confirms the receipt of the petition.
He says Torit County was not consulted about the shift of its Boma to Geria County, but only heard over the radio.
The director explains that the community has right to choose where they want to belong, considering the area of convenience of a place according to the Local Government Act.
The government is not there to chase people to a certain place by force, says Ocuho
Geria county authorities could not be reached for comments.