Unity state announces new cabinet line-up
By Bonifacio Taban Kuich
August 9, 2013 (BENTIU) – Unity state on Thursday announced the formation of its new cabinet a week after the entire state government was dissolved.
Earlier last month while speaking to the crowd at his welcoming ceremony at Bentiu’s independent stadium, caretaker state governor Joseph Monytuel promised to deliver on roads, health services and clean water for citizens.
Secretary-general Dhoal Koryom Lingling confirmed that a new cabinet had been formed, adding that it signalled a “new beginning” for state residents.
“New faces means a new beginning for the people of Unity state … because when a caretaker is appointed he said, he must make sure that he works with [the] people who might be very smart in carrying out his mission because he made a road map. He said his government has three road maps namely unity, peace and reconciliation among the community of Unity state”, said Lingling, adding that the new cabinet was committed to working towards these goals.
Lingling says the new cabinet will be sworn in on Monday after which they would officially assume their duties in various state ministries.
HIGH HOPES FOR NEW GOVERNOR
Bentiu resident Simon Gatluak Nguanyeat said the caretaker governor had a history of development during his time under the Khartoum government from 2001-2004 prior to the signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which delivered South Sudan independence from its northern neighbour.
He said Unity state residents had high hopes Monytuel would deliver on his promises and improve the quality of life for citizens.
“We will have very great changes, because this person comes to work very hard and he is going to change everything here in Unity state”, he said.
Meanwhile, Angelina Nyatuor Gai another resident from Unity state’s Guit county, has urged the government to focus on improving health services, saying it needed to do more in terms of reaching needy communities in both rural and urban centres.
“We are mostly in need of development on health facilities. Most of our children die mysteriously since most of us widows, [we] are jobless and we are powerless to rise up the children in better life. If the new government means changes we hope he will bring more change in terms of free and better health services delivery to all”, said Gai.
On 2 August, Monytuel announced he was dissolving his entire government, in a move seen as a response to South Sudan president Salva Kiir’s recent directive to state governors urging them to downsize their own administrations at state level.
Unity state’s deputy governor, four state advisors and nine other ministers were affected by the governor’s decision.
Under the decree, commissioners Puy Yak Yiel from Guit county, Majok Gatdet Deng from Parieng county and Gideon Gatpan Thoar from Mayiandit county were also relieved of their duties.
They will be replaced by William Deng Ayuel as new commissioner of Parieng, Gai Chol Gatluak as new commissioner of Guit and James Gatluak Chuol as the new commissioner of Mayiandit county.
This is the first time Unity state has undergone a major government reshuffle since the 2005 peace deal with Sudan.
Just one day after relieving the entire cabinet, former deputy governor Michael Chiengjiek Geay called for calm, warning that the new government would be reduced in size and would not be able to accommodate all
(ST)