Unity state gets new deputy speaker

By Bonifacio Taban Kuich

September 2, 2013 (BENTIU) – Members of parliament in Unity state on Monday voted Petro Juoi Machar Juoi the new deputy speaker of the state assembly.

In his address shortly after his election, Juoi told members of the house that he will fight against rampant corruption in the state.

His election follows the resignation last week of the now former deputy speaker, Mayom Yak Kur.

In his resignation, Kur said the reshuffle in the state cabinet which saw the appointment of Mabek Lang De Mading as Unity state deputy governor forced him to leave office to offer others an opportunity.

But in interviews with members of parliament, some of the legislators criticised Kur for his resignation. But others welcomed it, arguing that it was within the former deputy speaker’s right to resign.

Unity state speaker Simon Maguek Gai has meanwhile proposed the appointment of the former deputy speaker as chairperson of energy and mining. The proposition was on Monday supported by members of the assembly.

The members of parliament were however critical of the recent reshuffle by the caretaker governor, Joseph Nguen Monytuel, saying he had formed a big government at a time when there is a need for austerity measures.

Unity has one deputy governor, 11 ministers and over 15 advisors.

The MPs questioned where the money needed to pay the big government would come from.

The MPs also criticised the governor for increasing on the number of specialised committees which the state assembly had reduced as an austerity measure.

President Salva Kiir in July dropped his entire cabinet and appointed a leaner cabinet with the aim of reducing costs of administration. The president asked South Sudan’s 10 states to do the same.

(ST)