Key South Sudan ministers deny they are underqualified
By Ngor Arol Garang
September 15, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s first post-independence cabinet, appointment by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, has some crucial ministries headed by politicians who do not have the requisite professional or technical expertise to run them, critics of the government have said.
Of all the 56 ministries, two that have come under close scrutiny from the public are the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning which is headed by Kosti Manibe Ngai, a former journalist and the Ministry of Justice whose political head is John Luk Jok, a liberal lawyer by training but who some of his critics claims to have not practiced after he graduated.
Reacting to people’s views on his appointment as Minister of Finance, Manibe, in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday said he is not disturbed by people’s reactions arguing that people have a right of opinion but assured that he has experience enough to lead the Ministry as well as a good team of technocrats. He also said the economic challenges facing the country can best be solved though collective effort and not through personalizing issues.
“The solution to our economic challenged does not require rocket science or a knight in shining armor with a magic wand. But people must also remember that I’ll be working with some of the finest financial and economic minds in the land, some of whom worked successively with all first appointed ministers that they have expertise to the work with me as team of professionals. I am optimistic that together with the leadership of our president Salva Kiir Mayardit, we will deliver.
The minister said believes has what it takes to lead the Ministry and intend to give it all his efforts in order not to disappoint the people of South Sudan. “The President is spending sleepless nights trying to find solutions to the challenges we face and my job will be to help him find those solutions,” Manibe said.
He also asked people to value the ongoing process of dialogue between the two states of south Sudan and Sudan on post independence issues which he says is central to the solving of the economic situation the country is in at the moment.
“I appeal to all citizens of the republic of south Sudan to support the dialogue process because it is good for our country and our economy. Giving president hard time and ultimatums is not the solution. We have work together as people”.
“I bring into this ministry very vast experience. People can say whatever they can say. But after they have finished saying what they are saying I am inviting them so that we solve our problems together. It is not about individualism but togetherness us as a country,” appealed minister Manibe.
On his part minister John Luk Jok said he is more than ready for the task and appealed to all South Sudanese not to judge him before they see how he handles the Ministry. “People should not judge a book by its cover. I am ready for the challenge and I’m sure I will deliver. But for now I cannot say much,” said Jok an interview with Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.
Agiu Mawien Dut, a commentator from the private Bridge University in Juba was ambivalent in his analysis of the two saying both ministries require very technical expertise but was quick to say anyone can man any ministry.
“The Ministry of justice is highly specialized as you know it is where statues are vetted and drafted and it may be difficult for a non-lawyer. When you have someone who has completely no knowledge of law it means technocrats will not have proper supervision.
“With all due respect, unlike in other ministries the ministry of Finance is also highly technical. But constitutionally there is no problem.
“If you go back to the history of the country we have ever had non economists heading the Ministry of Finance like David Deng Athorbei and Kuol Athian Mawien. Any person can head any ministry as long as they are performing,” he said.
(ST)