New EES Caretaker Government Sworn In

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The Eastern Equatoria State (EES) Deputy Governor, Advisors, Caretaker Ministers and County Commissioners have taken oath of office as part of their renewed commitments in undertaking their respective assignments. 
  
The colourful ceremony was presided over by the State President of the High Court, her Justice Sumeya Saleh in the presence of the State Governor Hon. Louis Lobong today at the State Council of Ministers’ meeting hall. 
  
The swearing in ceremony follows a number of decrees issued by the Governor last week relieving and reappointing a caretaker government after signing into law the EES Transitional Constitution. 
  
The State caretaker Deputy Governor, Hon. Nartisio Loluke Manir was sworn first before other caretakers. Hon. Loluke formerly doubled as the Deputy Governor and State Minister for Local Government & Law Enforcement unlike now where he is only holding deputy governorship docket. 
  
After the swearing of the State caretaker Deputy Governor, one of the reappointed caretaker Advisors, Hon. Claudio Suleiman Liling, Advisor on Security took oath of the office. His counterparts who were absent during the event; Hon. Alphonse Muras Chacha, Advisor on Political Affairs, Peace & Reconciliation and Hon. Patrick Lodinga Kotein, Advisor on Social Services shall take oath of office later.

The President of the High Court in consultation with the Governor, presided over the swearing in of all the caretaker ministers and the six County Commissioners. 
   
However, the two County Commissioners for Lafon/Lopa and Magwi Counties who got dismissed last year have not been replaced, consultations on their fate are underway.
   
The 13 ministers who successfully took oath were; 
1. Hon. Josephine Akulang Abalang, minister of Finance, Trade & Industry, 
2. Hon. Nasike Allan Lochul, minister of Information & Telecommunication, 
3. Hon. Michael Lopuke Lotyam, minister of Education, science & Technology, 
4. Hon. Jerome Gama Surur, minister of Agriculture, Cooperatives & Forestry, 
5. Hon. Mark Akio Ukinbul, minister of Housing & Public Utilities, 
6. Hon. Sam Felix Makuja, minister of Health, 
7. Hon. Clement Laku Chichim, minister of Parliamentary Affairs, 
8. Hon. Peter Otim Karlo, minister of Transport and Roads, 
9. Hon. Emilio William Odingila, minister of Public Service, Labour & Human Resource Development, 
10. Hon. George Echome Ekeno, minister of Environment, Wildlife conservation & Tourism, 
11. Hon. Wilson Lolup Lopatu, minister of Animal Resources & Fisheries, 
12. Hon. Benjamin Banaiah Kitara, minister of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management and finally 
13. Hon. Magdalena Beato Atiol, minister of Culture & Social Development. 
  
Upon their swearing in ceremony, Governor Lobong briefed them on their new obligations, reminded them as stipulated in their respective decrees of reappointments that all of them have been reappointed and sworn in as caretakers pending future reorganization and directed them to perform their usual functions as caretakers in their respective positions but should not be allowed to take any major decision or enter into major contractual obligation while discharging their responsibilities. 
  
The following county commissioners took oath of office; 
1. Hon. Felix Otuduha Siro, Torit County, 
2. Hon. Martin Lorika Lojam, Kapoeta South County, 
3. Hon. Peter Lokeng Lotone, Ikwoto, County, 
4. Hon. Lokai Iko Loteyo,, Kapoeta North County, 
5. Hon. Morris Kaunda Merisiya, Budi County and 
6. Hon. Titus Lokwacuma Lotyam, Kapoeta East County. 
  
Hon. Lobong explained to the caretakers that the process to complete formation of a new Government will take longer than when he formed the previous one following his election victory. Thorough scrutiny of nominees will begin from Counties to the State level while involving the civil society and then their respective political parties after which will be presented to the president of the Republic of South Sudan in consultation with national Council of States. If the president approves, the list shall then be returned to the State for consideration. 
  
Although the Governor cautioned the caretakers to pull up their shocks in order to win executive positions, the State Governor assured them and expressed hope that they will all be reappointed to the new Government.