Yei Communities Receive New Grinding Mills as Leaders Call for Protection of Public Assets

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Women in Pakula Boma of Yei Town Payam and Otogo Payam have welcomed the government’s donation of two grinding mills, describing the initiative as a major boost to rural communities that have long struggled to access milling services.

The grinding mills were officially dispatched last Friday by Yei River County authorities after being donated by the Central Equatoria State Government. The equipment is intended to ease the burden on women who have had to travel long distances to Yei town to grind cassava and maize flour.

The donation forms part of a broader government programme aimed at supporting all five payams of Yei River County. Tore, Lasu and Mugwo Payams are also expected to receive similar assistance in the coming months.

Raida Kiden, a resident of Pakula village, praised the government for responding to the needs of women in the area.

“We have suffered travelling long distances to Yei town in search of grinding mills. Sometimes we lose our flour when caught by rain along the way. This support will greatly help us, and we call on the government to establish a sustainable management team in the village,” she said.

Akandu Rose, a resident of Otogo Payam, also expressed gratitude for the donation, saying the grinding mill would significantly improve the lives of women in the community.

“We often travel long distances to Yei town to grind our cassava and maize flour. This donation will make life easier for us. For many years, women have struggled to produce flour for their families because there has been no functional grinding mill in the entire payam,” she said.

Yei River County Commissioner Samuel Henry Malimbo commended President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony for supporting rural communities through the initiative.

Malimbo said Yei played a crucial role in South Sudan’s liberation struggle and deserved continued attention in national and state development programmes.

He urged beneficiaries, including local chiefs, to ensure women are actively involved in the management of the grinding mills, noting the important role women played during years of conflict and hardship.

The commissioner further called for the establishment of strong management committees to oversee the equipment, maintain accountability, and address any technical challenges that may arise.

Central Equatoria State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Leon Ade, welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of cooperation between government institutions and local communities, particularly in supporting women and other groups affected by years of conflict.

He also encouraged residents to avoid spreading unverified information and instead engage constructively with local leaders on issues affecting community development.

Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Joseph Brown Lomose applauded the government for supporting local development efforts and urged communities to take collective responsibility for safeguarding the newly donated equipment to ensure it benefits future generations.

The grinding mills are expected to improve food processing, reduce travel burdens on women, and contribute to household livelihoods across Yei River County.