Eastern Equatoria governor described the state as a rich and blessed land with abundant natural resources but having hungry and poor people.
Louis Lobong Lojore told a delegation of French officials that his state posseses natural resources like agriculture, live stock, wild life, oil and limestone for cement, Emmanuel Radio reported.However, the governor remarked that despite the abundance of resources the people of Eastern Equatoria are hungry and are very poor.
Governor Lobong said so many challenges are bound to face South Sudan after the declaration of the region as an independent state.
He stressed that the high expectations of the people after decades of suffering and being marginalized by the Khartoum regimes, urgent demands for security, roads, water and electricity are among challenges to befall the Republic Southern Sudan.
The governor stated that high illiteracy rates of 90 per cent of the people in Eastern Equatoria state, calls for establishment of schools.
He also recounts the demarcation of the South-North borders, the popular consultation of Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, as well as the Abyei issue, as factors affecting the new nation to be.
The Vicar General of Catholic Diocese of Torit, Fr. Celestino Muras said the French delegation comprised of two Bishops, heads of Catholic charities and two Members of Parliament.
He added that the delegation of Caritas France, a member of Caritas Internationalis, visited South Sudan to familiarize with the situation of Churches and the challenges they face particularly in post referendum period.