Jonglei’s ministers tell students to follow Garang’s ideas
By Philip Thon Aleu
July 30, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – Dr. John Garang de Mabior was an academician, a strong politician, a scientist and above all a patriotic citizen, State Ministers, who converged for the Third Anniversary Commemoration of his death told students.
Dr. John Garang died in Ugandan presidential chopper’s crash on July 30, 2005 on his way to Newsite in Southern Sudan; hours after meeting long time friend, the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The commemoration attended by the different members of Jonglei cabinet was organised at Garang Institute of Science and Technology in Bor.
Death took Garang 21 days after taking the post of the First Vice-President of the Republic.
He was the President Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and Chairman of Sudan’s People Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) that fought Khartoum government for 21 years yielding to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the foundation for the GoNU on January 9, 2005, the ministers flash at a brief history of fallen hero.
According to Jonglei state ministers, one should be selective to talk about Garang because he did everything quite prefer. “When we are talking about Dr. John Garang, we need to restrict ourselves because time will not allow us to talk about him,” State Minister of Land and Physical Infrastructures, Eng John Amuor Kuol told the students whom he argued to resemble Dr. Garang.
Amuor said Garang was a talented politician, experienced scientist and a man who committed himself to serving the nation till death took him. “Be ambitious. Move forward,” he argued.
Deputy Governor Hussein Mar Nyot, State Minister of Finance Kegi Jakok, State Director General of Higher Education Akuila Kelei, Leudier Dean of Cathedral and Bor Community elder Alier Biar, among others poured into Garang Institute in the early hours of Wednesday for one-and-half hours Prayers organized by Institute Administration.
The State Ministers were touched in Commemoration prayers and elder Alier Biar’s speech prompting them to commend students to join in sorting out the major stumbling blocks to transparency in the State Government.
“The peaceful nation, free from tribalism, corruption, illiteracy and war, is our dream,” the written prayer which was recapitulated by the audience reads in parts.
“I argue John Garang to continue swiping away unjust leaders. Who questioned you brother (Garang) when you call unfair people to join you,” elder Alier said without elaborating his statement citing that the translator may alter the true meaning of his speech.
“If you think that there are issues of corruption, tribalism and any other thing to be clarified, you can come to us and make us aware,” said Kegi Jakok, State Minster of Finance.
The Deputy Governor, who is also the State Minister of Local Government, welcomes his colleague suggestion to allow students fight underprivileged performances in the State affairs and be good ambassadors because they (students) are close to the communities.
“Don’t take streets talks. Just to come to us and take clear information,” said H. E. Hussien Mar before shielding State government’s decision to force leave unclassified staffs.
According to Mar, unclassified employees were draining resources they did not work for. “You have to get salary after accomplish a certain task. It is not a matter of been paid without delivering services,” he said. He reiterated that classified staffs should be screened because they “too many for small jobs.”
RECOGNIZED INSTITUTE
In a related development, an Act of Establishment for Dr. John Garang de Mabior Institute of Science and Technology has been signed by the President of southern Sudan government, Salva Kiir Mayardit.
Minister Mar said. Prof. Agrey Ayuen has been appointed too by GoSS President as Garang Institute co-director (Principal for other Universities). According to the Deputy Governor, this Act of Establishment will enable Garang Institute, as State owned University, to be supported by GoSS and fully recognized.
The State ministers revealed that July 30th, is an official date set aside by GoSS to remember brothers and sisters (Sudan martyrs) who lost their lives for the liberation of marginalized people of Sudan.
However, State sponsored celebration has been scheduled for August 2 where the Governor is expected to give a speech after his return from an official leave.
(ST)