Western Bahr el Ghazal governor names finance minister as his deputy
July 5, 2012 (KUACJOK) – The governor of South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal State, Rizik Zachariah Hassan, issued a gubernatorial order on 3 July naming his finance minister, Moris Yel Akol Tiit, as his deputy Governor.
Hassan quoted Transitional Constitution of the State as the basis of appointing his cabinet minister to the second highest position in the state executive position.
Tiit commands popular support in the state administration and leadership. He also enjoys close ties with senior members of the country’s governing Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
His appointment comes several weeks after the governor dissolved his cabinet, made up of MPs selected from the state parliament, in order to form a new government after taking oath office after signing the state constitution into law in March.
Tiit replaced Effessio Kon Uguak, another veteran politician in the state.
Uguak is believed to expect to recieve another appointment. However, highly placed sources in the state administration claim that in consultations over the formation of a new cabinet, finding a new position for Uguak is proving difficult.
A source told Sudan Tribune on Thursday that “consultations about his appointment are experiencing difficulties. As youth, we do not have problem with his appointment but politicians are showing little interest.”
The governor’s order number 3 (three), dated July 3, 2012, quoted article 99(2) (a) and (c) under chapter II of the transitional Constitution of the state and directs State Secretariat General, Council of ministers and the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Industry to take necessary actions for implementation.
Reacting to his appointment in an interview with Sudan Tribune on Thursday, the newly appointed Deputy Governor pledged to shoulder the responsibility of running the local government and internal affairs.
Tiit reminded the public of his commitment to service delivery and devotion of more attention to the welfare and prosperity of the citizenry.
“I received the appointment with humility and gratitude. So I take this opportunity to thank his Excellency the governor, for the trust and confidence in appointing me to this high office. I assure him and our people that I will do everything within my ability, capacity and means to meet expectations of our people in moving this state to higher heights”, Tiit said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
(ST)