Eastern Equatoria governor dissolves cabinet, appoints new ministers
By Ijoo Bosco
August 26, 2013 (TORIT) – Eastern Equatoria governor Louis Lobong Lojore on Sunday dissolved his cabinet and appointed nine new state cabinet ministers and four advisers.
The state governor appointed Clement Laku chichim as minister of Information, Broadcasting, Tele-communication and Parliamentary Affairs, Charles Lokonoi as minister of Local government Law enforcement and Wildlife, Sam Felix Makuja as state minister of Finance Commerce Investment and Economic planning, Michael Lopuke Lotyam as state Minister of Education and Sports, among others.
On Monday the new ministers were approved by the state assembly and took the oath of office in the Torit State Secretariat General hall.
The newly appointed Commissioner of headquarters, Mark Akio Ukingbul was among those sworn in.
The ceremony was presided over by Eastern Equatoria State president of high court, Abraham Majur Late
The state governor reduced the number of state government commissions to four and left vacant the position of the state ministry of gender and social development.
After the swearing in, the cabinet ministers were given copies of the code of conduct which they were asked to respect and adhere to.
In his address to the cabinet Ministers and State advisors, Louis Lobong Lojore, urged them to have work plans which he said they should submit to within two weeks after taking office.
The governor said the ministers should avail the work plans to the counties, line ministries in Juba and to the state advisers as well as his office.
The new minister of Information and Telecommunication and parliamentary affairs and spokesperson of the government of Eastern Equatoria State, Clement Laku Chichim, told journalist that the newly appointed officials will work as a team to deliver services in the state.
The minister said that although some individuals in the state are not satisfied with the new cabinet, it is composed of competent people who will deliver services.
Following President Salvar Kiir’s dissolution of his cabinet and reduction on the number of new appointees from from 58 to 31, the President asked the state governments to follow suit saying cost cutting was necessary to save more money for development projects.
Appointed State Ministers
1. Clement Laku Chichim – Minister of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunication and Parliamentary Affairs.
2. Hon. Charles Lokonoi – Minister of Local Government, Law Enforcement and Wildlife Conservation.
3. Sam Felix Makuja – Minister of Finance, Commerce, Investment and Economic Planning.
4. Michael Lopuke Lotyam – Minister of Education.
5. Dr. Margaret Itto – Minister of Health.
6. Lorika Stella Brenda – Minister of Labour.
7. Hon. John Ochan Bongomin – Minister of Agriculture.
8. Hassan Urbano – Miniater of Physical Infrastructure.
9. Patrick Lodinga – Minister of Animal Resource.
10.State ministry of gender and social development (Vacant).
(ST)