Wau: 14 Ex-Combatants Graduate As Driver/Mechanics

This article was last updated on May 27, 2022

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The training is part of the ongoing reintegration programme being delivered by the South Sudan Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (SSDDRC). 

The training has equipped the graduates with multiple skills, including driving, auto mechanics and the operation of heavy machinery, said the acting state director for SSDDRC, William Tong Uruan.

“This is a supplementary training to those ex-combatants who were done with their training skills at Mapel transitional facility since last year of 2013,” he added.

The graduates are from two states- nine from Warrap state (WS) and five from WBGS -and include one female driver. Uruan called on the two state governments and on UN agencies working in the country to recognize the graduates when they are applying for jobs. “This is a policy of our commission, to transform the former South Sudanese guerrilla fighters into self reliant and independent [civilians]”, said Uruan.

Martin Maker, the director for Wau VTC, urged the graduates to use their new experience and abilities to improve services to the people. “Your driving knowledge is very useful to this new nation and we need you to go forward, gain more experience and help in building your capacity,” he said.

The graduation was witnessed by state traffic police officer Sgt. Luciano Gregory, who had supported the trainees during their field training period. He commended their newly-acquired qualifications, saying that they would now be able to work anywhere in the world. 

Sgt. Gregory also had some practical advice for the new graduates: “You should drive in a respectful manner as you were trained and you should respect the rules of traffic law without harming both pedestrians and other people using the road”.

The director of Wau VTC, Abu Saleh Abu, said the centre was founded in 1969 and is ready to receive any training candidates who need to gain a variety of vocational skills. The centre offers technical training in computing, driving, machine operation, carpentry, building among other technical areas, he said.

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