Pokula Residents Renew Call for Payam Status

(POKULA BOMA, YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Residents of Pokula Boma in Yei Town Payam are urging county and state authorities to upgrade the area to a Payam, saying the move would bring government services closer to the community and accelerate local development.

In a petition signed by 16 community leaders and submitted to former Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme in February 2026, residents argued that Pokula, located more than 20 miles east of Yei Town, remains underserved despite its growing population, natural resources and development potential.

Speaking to Access Radio on Friday, Pokula Executive Chief Felix Sebit Alfred said the proposed upgrade would improve service delivery, strengthen local administration, enhance security and promote equitable development within Yei River County.

“We presented our community position paper to the Commissioner of Yei, and it was forwarded to the Governor, who approved it and passed it to the Ministry of Local Government. However, nothing has happened up to now. This place is far from Yei Town and we want approval for the establishment of a Payam so that services can reach the people,” Alfred said.

The community says the proposal received support from the former county commissioner and is awaiting action from the Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement. Efforts to obtain comment from the ministry were unsuccessful at the time of publication.