E. Equatoria state speaker reshuffles assembly chairpersons

November 24, 2014 (TORIT) – The speaker of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state assembly, Tobiolo Oromo has reshuffled business committee chairpersons and appointed new ones.

“It’s a normal procedure in any institution. Parliament and the executive constitution and conduct of business [rules] stipulate that the speaker can decide to reshuffle specialised standing committees of parliament,” he said Monday.

Oromo, who previously served as the assembly’s chief whip, prior to becoming speaker, said policy a statement from state ministries necessitated parliament to assess performances of the committee chairpersons.

“We have been deliberating on the policy statements of the ministries and from there we learned that it is good for us to reshuffle the chairpersons and appoint new ones according to their experiences. For example, the committee on education needs someone knowledgeable about education,” stressed the speaker.

Oromo defended the assembly’s rotational policy, saying it gives every lawmaker an opportunity to gain experience and skills in management of society affairs.

Meanwhile, Charles Udwar was named ruling party (SPLM) party chief whip in the assembly as Benjamin Lopeyok became the newly appointed security and public orders committee chairperson.

Lopeyok is deputised by the former youth leader, Epone Emmanuel Lolimo.

Among those missing from the list of recycled chairpersons are Martin Lopir Lotubai, Elizabeth Adodo Tulio and Robert Okumu Agany.

(ST)