The deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria State, who also doubles as the chairperson of the SPLM-IO in the state, on Thursday at a press conference in Torit, accused Governor Louis Lobong of Lack of transparency and running the state in an ultra vires style.
Deputy Governor Mary Alphonse Lodira faulted her boss for deliberately and tactically delaying the appointment of SPLM-IO nominees to agreed positions like the deputy mayor of Torit and the deputy commissioner of the Investment Commission as per the power-sharing matric of the peace agreement.
She also accused Governor Lobong of fragmenting and running the state as two separate entities by having mayors in both Torit and Kapoeata.
“We, the leadership of the SPLM-IO in the state, note with great concern the continuous retention of administering Eastern Equatoria State as two states: Kapoeta and Torit with a mayor in Tori and in Kapoeta. Why?” she asked. “We all know the 32 states were revoked and the country returned to 10 states and administrative areas.”
The deputy governor also faulted Governor Lobong for appointing former politicians into civil service positions as executive directors of the counties of the now-defunct 32 states with full budgets and making them answerable only to the governor. A contravention of the peace deal. According to her.
“We also note with great concern the poor and deceitful collegial working relations including centralizing administrative activities in the state, lack of transparency in resource management and the constant attacks on SPLA-IO cantonments in different sites like Lowareng,” the deputy governor charged.
Asked about the statement by his deputy, Governor Lobong said he will respond to the allegations made after receiving a copy of the statement.
“When we receive the copy, we will respond accordingly,” he curtly said.