Lakes state’s new cabinet appointees take oath
By Manyang Mayom
June 4, 2009 (RUMBEK) – They newly appointed ministers, advisors and commissioners of Lakes state government have been finally sworn into cabinet on Thursday morning in the presence of Lakes state Governor Daniel Awet Akot and judge John Clement Kuc for Bhar-El-Ghazal court of appeal.
The group of new ministers comprises Mr. David Nok Marial, Deputy Governor and Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement; Mr. Jok Ayom Majak, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Animal Resources; Mr. Gordon Matot Tut, Minister of Finance; Mr. Chol Tong Mayai, Minister of Physical Infrastructure; and Mr. Martin Anhiem Arier, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
New faces in cabinet acting as advisors are Maj-General Maciek Akuocpir Cyber, advisor for security, and Mr. Andrea Mabor Biar, advisor for Peace and Reconciliation.
However, the newly appointed Mrs. Agum Ruben Maciir, Advisor for Social Welfare and Gender, was reported absent from the swearing-in ceremony because she was reported to be staying in Khartoum. Hence the state government is expected to organize another ceremony at which she will be sworn in together with her potential colleague, the as yet unnamed minister of Health,
The source said that the Ministry of Health is going to be taken over by the National Congress Party (NCP) as a part of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)’s power-sharing arrangement at the state level.
They appointees for county commissioners also took the oath: they are Mr. Mabor Mayen Wol, Rumbek East County; Mr. Mabor Achol Kuer, Yirol East County and Mr. Simon Waiwai Ali, Wulu County.
However, Mr. Benjamin Maciek Malek, the commissioner of the state headquarters area in Rumbek, was relieved and his party — the United Democratic Forum party (UDF) – has yet to appoint a new person to replace him in the cabinet of Lakes state.
(ST)