Mixed reactions to Sudan’s Esatern Equatorial reshuffle
By Isaac Vuni
August 13, 2007 (JUBA) — The recent reshuffling in Eastern Equatoria state government was received with mixed reactions — from jubilation to condemnation — from the sons and daughters of the state. Below are some reactions:
President, why have you thrown your own committee’s recommendations into dustbin? According to Bashir Bandi, head of committee set to investigate crisis in EES legislative assembly with the Executive, their recommendation was that governor should apply fair representation of the eight state counties by appointing a minister from each state.
But governor Ojetuk never comply, instead he has become a real dictator even undermining directives from President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and his Vice. However, according to James Wani, Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA), almost all recommendations of committees send to eastern equatorial state have never been made public.
Meanwhile dismissal of former state minister of finance, George Muras Lomoro was highly celebrated in Torit town and in Juba where former minister mistreated and even threatening to shoot some senior officials while some are suspended without pay, expressed there feelings and even demanded for thorough corruption investigation in the ministry including state Sugar Equator, Mr. Lomoro, was handling recently in Khartoum.
GoSS Director General of establishment in the ministry of Public Service and Human Resource development, Rev. Tobi Oduho, said “Finally the wolf of Torit, Mr. George Muras Lomoro is brought back from Heaven to heal”.
“Finally the most stupid animal of Governor Ojetuk is out of Finance ministry but their family deals in the state treasury including Torit, Juba and Khartoum coordination offices that governor Ojetuk staffed with his relatives must be audited;” Obura said.
“During the wedding of Mura’s son last Saturday, the excitement was only in the church but reception at rock city was like a funeral place because of governor Ojetuk’s dismissal of his in-law from honey ministry;” remarks Peter Longole
“Tulio Odongi and Governor Ojetuk are the same faces of a coin; therefore they will eventually conceal all dubious deal incurred during Lomoro’s time in office. So the only solution is removal of governor Ojetuk;” said Fr. Francis Motong.
Adding that Odongi comes from Hyala village best known of committing atrocities but Odongi and other from the same area are often protecting it from being exposed while blaming others communities. Other notorious villages that promote insecurity in Torit County are Tirangore, Aferere, Iholi, Mura, Offi and Idonge;” disclosed Fr. Motong.
Motong accused governor Ojetuk and Tulio Odongi of being supporter of insecurity in Torit County and that they are being supported by their god father, MP Remi Oler, the Deputy Speaker of State Councilor of Minister in Khartoum.
“Governor Ojetuk and MP Odongi have taken advantage of General Isaac Obutu Mamur Mete’s detention, for sideling Imurok/Horiok community representations in SPLM structure including government of governor Ojetuk simply because late Galerio Modi comes from the same area where the first group of SPLMA started in Torit County. Yet without Horiok people, there is nothing called Lotuho;” declared Fr. Motong.
“Please, Mr. President Kiir, for the sake of unity of the people of Eastern Equatoria state, removes for us a tribalist and dictator governor Ojetuk because we are tired of his marginalization;” pleads Fr. Motong.
“Some sections of Toposa community were very happy with removal of former Deputy Governor, Teko Allan Lochul, whom they accused of having failed them in initiating developmental programmes in their counties of greater Kapoeta. Meanwhile other were very annoyed with removal of former Health minister, Marko Lolimo, and vowed to revenge on Ojetuk whom they blamed for his removal;” says Mr. Mathia
The Madi said there is no regret in removing Angelo Voga because he has been “misleading and confusing” governor Ojetuk rather he should be investigated on the allege corruption deal of purchasing state vehicles. However some Madi welcome appointment of Miss. Elizabeth Ojaba Itto as a state minister of Health and wish her all the best.
Meanwhile the Acholi community wondered why Francis Okeny was removed! At the same time some asked, why is that the position of Minister of Agriculture is always given to Acholi while Ministry of Finance and Education are retaining to Otuho community?
In another development, MP Michael Losike was physically confronted by MP David Mayo Nailo on suspicions of encroaching into MP Nailo’s families.
According to MP Peter Longole, who is an eye witness, that Losike, who also from greater Kapoeta, had visited them in the house of MP Nailo and as a guest, Losike was welcomed by him in his room. when Nailo on arrival found Losike being entertains with beer as colleague, Nailo pick up quarrelling by ordering him out of the house to an extend of fighting Losike but Losike avoided fighting by saying “Is that behavior and education you have acquired from London in order to divide our unsuspecting grassroots community? Then Losike as a peacemaker walked away.
(ST)