Northern Bahr el Ghazal minister welcomes dismissal from position

By Ngor Arol Garang

February 2, 2012 (JUBA)- Peter Kuot Jel, minister of physical infrastructure in the state of Northern Bahr el Ghazal welcomed his dismissal from his ministerial portfolio, saying it was time for another person to serve in the state government.  

Jel was dismissed on Tuesday after holding the position since June 2010. He thanked his colleagues for the time he spent working with them.

“Change is a good thing” said Jel on Tuesday, adding that it was an opportunity for “other gifted Aweilians to offer services to Aweilians”.

Jel was among officials affected the gubernatorial order relieving his political advisor, Jal Malith Jal. Other officials, including Tong Akeen, minister of health were affected by the order.

Yel Deng Nguel, a security advisor and food security advisor was the first to welcome his dismissal from the advisory portfolio on Tuesday. He was relieved along with Ismail Ibrahim Ahmed, an advisor on food security to the state governor.

However, as Ahmed was reported to have died several months ago, his removal from post was presumably a matter of procedure.

No reasons were made for the firings but supporters have attributed the cause of the dismissal to political rivalry over loyalty to the state governor and the leadership of South Sudan’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the state.

Others, including the Minister of Physical Infrastructure were relieved of their position due to poor performance. The state legislate assembly in October passed a vote of no confidence in him, arguing that he has repeatedly failed to measure up to expectations of the public.

(ST)