Unity state speaker denies differences with caretaker governor

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

August 10, 2013 (BENTIU) – The speaker of the Unity state parliament Simon Maguek Gai has dismissed a rumour that he has been critical of the appointment of Joseph Nguen Monytuel as caretaker governor.

Gai told state-run Bentiu FM 99 on Friday that he has no objection to the presidential decree relieving the former governor Taban Deng Gai, who was sacked last month.

The speaker warned that those trying to create tension between him and the caretaker governor were enemies of peace in the state.

“In the state legislative assembly no one believes or put trust on [the] propaganda that are derivation around among politicians. Maybe there are those who want to create conflicts or division within our system”, said the speaker.

Gai said that some people were intent on spoiling his name by spreading rumours that he has political differences with the new caretaker governor.

Speaker Gai said he and other members of the state assembly welcomed Monytuel ‘s appointment and the removal of former governor Taban Deng Gai, a position which was outlined in a letter to the president on on July 8.

Rumours, spread across Bentiu, say that the caretaker governor may soon relieve the speaker with support from MPs who were previously demanding his impeachment, a demand which was dropped by the former governor three months ago.

Speaker Gai is accused by some parliamentarians of mismanaging state affairs hampering development efforts since 2005.

Since a peace deal in 2005, bringing former Southern rebels – the SPLM – to power, Unity state has been the largest oil-producing state in South Sudan. As part of the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement 2% of revenue from Unity state’s oil exports were supposed to have been spent on development projects.

However, lack of significant improvements to basic services has led to the perception that the money has been wasted on corruption and mismanagement across Unity state’s nine counties.

(ST)