Unity: Civil servants locked out after reshuffle
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
August 5, 2013 (BENTIU) – Civil servants in South Sudan’s Unity got the shock of their lives on Monday when they reported to work only to find their premises locked.
Authorities allegedly instructed security forces to lock up all ministries, two days after the state caretaker governor surprisingly dissolved his government.
Although some citizens questioned whether Joseph Monytuil had the right to remove or appoint ministers, Unity state’s secretary general insists the former is constitutionally mandated to do so.
“The powers of the governor [is] conferred upon him by the Unity state constitution and Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, which allow him to appoint the deputy governor, advisors and ministers, using the same powers,” Dhoal Koryom Lingling told Sudan Tribune.
He further revealed that a new government would soon be put in place after wider consultations with citizens in the state.
The acting governor, on Friday, sacked his deputy, nine ministers and four advisers, in a move seen as in line with President Salva Kiir’s calls for a leaner cabinet, even at the state level.
Monytuil also restructured the south-ruling party (SPLM) secretariat in the state, appointing Peter Dak Riak, a lawmaker in Unity state assembly, as its head.
CIVIL SERVANTS NOT AFFECTED
Meanwhile, civil servants working in ministries have been told to continue with their normal duties as the recent reshuffle does not affect them.
“Normally we close the office of the ministers because there is no
minister in that particular office. Otherwise DGs [Director Generals] are operating as usual”, Lingling said.
The official, however, urged citizens to remain calm and extend support to the new governor, as they await his next government.
In a related development, the former deputy governor has backed the caretaker governor’s decision, which he described as the right procedure.
“I think the time that we are spent, especially myself as the deputy governor was enough and you know in any government, you need also to be out for sometime so that the people judge and evaluate your previous performances,” Michael Chiangjiek Geay said Monday.
To me, the steps taken by the caretaker governor are normal and we wish him well in his progress, he added.
The former deputy governor, however, expressed concerns about the decision to restructure the ruling party secretariat in the state.
“I’m not aware of what provokes the caretaker governor to dissolve the secretariat, but I think he acted within the law of the party. Let us give him more time until he briefs the secretariat on the matter,” said Geay.
Bany Nyoat, a civil servant in the state, warned the leadership to take precaution when making such changes in governance.
“He [governor] should not follow what the president is doing because that is a republican issue, and this one is the state level, whereby he can tolerate things,” he said.
(ST)