Mary Alphonse Lodira, the SPM-IO nominated deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria State, has pledged to work in collaboration with the other parties for the good of the state.
She was speaking during a party to welcome her to the state last weekend.
”We will join hands with other parties. Of course, when you are partners it doesn’t mean that the decision is coming from one person. We all need to sit down and prioritize things. Transparency and accountability” Lodira said. “I trust the people of Eastern Equatoria will show an example of what it means to be a country and a state. Let us rise.”
She advised that the people in the state should avoid petty politics and fighting for positions.
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore, while speaking at the function, said he has ruled out the reference to political party names while carrying out government activities and other public gatherings.
“And I want to say now officially as the head of the state, any public gathering which is combined, which is for the government, for everybody, I don’t want the issue of nicknames. Leave these nicknames for your political parties and rallies because when we practice it here, then we will become like we are competing,” Governor Lobong said. “This is the beginning of disagreement. So, I beg you, I respect all your parties, I respect all these nicknames, let us use them at the right time, at the right place. Let us learn to educate our people.”
Marko Lokidor, the state minister for peacebuilding, urged the government officials to put aside their parties and work for the interest of the common people.
“We have to work together as people of Eastern Equatoria. The issue of the parties, we put aside but we work for the interest of common people so that the services delivery and peace can reach to the corner of Eastern Equatoria State,” Lokidor said. “I believe with this cabinet headed by the governor and deputy Governor, we will realize better achievement and change in Eastern Equatoria State because they have the capacity. We need to work together.”
The chairperson of the civil society network in the state, Charles Okullu, said that the civil society is happy and would like to welcome the deputy governor to the state.
“The statement that came from them is what citizens want to hear., so it is very encouraging. All of them talked about unity, leaving their political affiliations apart, and working towards service delivery for the common good. If they walk the talk it will be the best sign and example across South Sudan,” Okullu said.
For his part, Torit County Commissioner, Andrew Philipson, believes that if the officials forget to mix their party affiliations with government matters the state will progress.
“Here we are a united government but now we still keep on mentioning from where we came, parties. Can we forget naming out nicknames, I call them nicknames. These are nicknames I don’t want to hear. Please, Hon. Governor, it is from here I will believe that peace will come to this Eastern Equatoria at large and it will go to the ten States. So I am just requesting if we can ignore these nicknames and get one name which is our government that will help you,” Philipson said.