E. Equatoria governor announces cabinet reshuffle

November 28, 2014 (TORIT) – The governor of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state, Louis Lobong Lojore on Thursday reshuffled his cabinet, a move which affected nine members of his government.

Paska Hifita, formerly the state minister for gender and social development was moved to the education ministry, while Patrick Odinga became the new minister for animal resource and fisheries.

Morris Kaunda was appointed finance ministry while Mark Akio Ukinbul was moved from the youth and sports ministry to information.

Former Kapeota North county commissioner, Lokai Iko is the new local government minister, according to the governor’s decree.

Clement Chichim take over as agriculture and forestry minister while John Ochan Bongomin was appointed minister for the newly created ministry for cabinet and parliamentary affairs in the state.

Meanwhile, Martin Lopir was appointed commissioner of Kapoeta South county and Charles Lokonoi takes over Kapoeta North county.

Analysts say the recent deterioration in security within Eastern Equatoria state may have forced Lojore to make the new changes.

Sam Felix Makuja was appointed commissioner for Budi county, with several residents attributing this to rising pressure from the community who demanded the immediate removal of the former commissioner.

Oting Daniel, a resident in Torit county, expressed dismay at the governor new cabinet list, laying the latter rotated the same officials.

“Am surprised by the rotational reshuffle. Among the ministers and commissioners changed, some of them are nothing, and can’t even make a difference in the areas they were posted to given their standards of illiteracy in serving the state community,” said Oting.

All the new ministers, advisors and commissioners were sworn in on Thursday at an event overseen by chief justice, Chan Reec Madut.

(ST)