Upper Nile governor appoints new ministers, commissioners
August 3, 2014 (JUBA) – The governor of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state, Simon Kun Puoc has reshuffled his government, appointing new ministers, advisors and county commissioners.
Also affected were town mayor and their deputies as several officials were either dropped or simply swapped positions under the new arrangement.
The governor, for instance, dropped information minister, Phillip Jiben Ogal, who was not allocated any portfolio in the new government.
It however remains unclear what prompted these changes within the state government, in the wake of several ultimatums given to those who fled the capital, Malakal due to insecurity concerns.
CABINET MINISTERS
The governor, in gubernatorial order No. 22/2014, appointed Philip Akol Amon, the new minister of cabinet affairs while Moses Thon Bol takes over the local government and law enforcement ministry.
However, while Ayong Awer Lual retained his position as minister of finance and economic planning, Simon Duop Puk assumes was appointed minister for trade, commerce and investment portfolio.
Others included, Chuol Dep Kiir (animal resources and fisheries), Dhiew Dau Luil (agriculture and forestry), Maria Kunijwok Kawang (gender and child welfare) while former Nasir county commissioner, Dak Tap Chol, becomes minister for physical infrastructure and rural development.
Similarly, as Opal Adwok Amon retained his position as minister of health, Gatluak Liphoth Diew becomes minister of culture, youth and sport as Wooyi Kouj Kegaiva takes over the labour and public service ministry.
But while education, science and technology ministry went to William Pur, that of information and broadcasting was given to Peter Hoth Tuac.
MAYOR AND DEPUTIES
The governor, in a separate order, appointed Abdalla Jago Deng as the new mayor of Malakal city council while Boutros Ruac Wuop was named deputy mayor for environment and construction and James Daniel Chuang as deputy mayor in-charge of Administration.
The new appointments, according to the order, took effect from 4 July.
STATE ADVISORS
Governor Puoc also named his former deputy,John Ibbo Monto as security advisor, Gabriel Tut Gatchai as advisor on political affairs and Charles Yor Odhok as an advisor on services
Other appointed included, Rev. Peter Makuach Nyak as advisor on religious affairs, Nyakoang Daniel Banak for gender and human rights, Chol Nyawelo Akui for rural development as Gwen Philip Chan over sees food security.
COMMISSIONERS
The governor, in decree No. 23/2014, appointed Elijah Liech Bany as the new commissioner of Nasir, while Rajaf Deng Ajak takes charge of Manyo county. Lual Deng became the commissioner for Renk while Timothy Ngewe takes over Maban county.
(ST)