Former cabinet members in E. Equatoria warned to surrender govt assets

Former cabinet members in E. Equatoria warned to surrender govt assets

May 26, 2010 (TORIT, Eastern Equatoria) – Hon Kasmiro Okeny the acting State Secretary General for the government of Eastern Equatoria State has this week given an order and ultimatum to all the State government ministers, advisers and all the eight County Commissioners to surrender all the government assets and vehicles to the state headquarters or face legal actions.

Kasmiro disclosed on Wednesday that, “some ex-officials have turned the state Vehicles as their business venture”. He called upon them “to response to the order on time before any action is taken against them upon failing to obey the order of the government”.

Kasmiro pointed out that the order came in response to a presidential decree which relieved the entire Caretakers Governors ministers and commissioners in the whole of Southern Sudan and that he was also phoned by the State Governor elect Louis Lobong for him to take a full charge of the State in his absent while in Juba until he comes back to the State

The acting secretary also revealed that he has been ordered to cooperate with the security organs in the State to deploy policemen in all the ministries and not to allow any minister, adviser and commissioner to enter government office they held during their tenure in office.

Mr. Okeny asked all the Director Generals of State Ministries to take full charge of their respective ministries and the Executives Directors to take charge of the counties until a new government is formed in the State and new commissioners are sworn in if they are to be appointed by the State Governor.

However, the order came as the state is awaiting the formation of the state government hoping to be finalized by the end of this week said the Acting State Secretary general for Eastern Equatoria State.

Earlier this week the President of Southern Sudan, Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit issued a presidential decree relieving all caretaker governors, ministers and commissioners of all the ten Southern Sudan states. Kiir issued the decree on Monday, pending formation of new government which begins this week at all levels.

The executive constitutional post holders, including the state governments, were previously appointed by presidential decrees of the Government of Southern Sudan that also equally required the same body to relieve them.

As a consequence of the April elections, the formation of the next state governments shall now be the responsibility of the state governors without necessarily having to consult with the president to issue decrees for appointments. President Kiir is also expected to announce his new cabinet in Juba which is expected to be a broadened and inclusive government to reflect the diversity of Southern Sudan.

(ST)