The speaker of the Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative assembly on Monday relieved the SPLM Party Chief Whip and other SPLM chairpersons and deputies of specialized committees in the House.
In a decree read over the Voice of Eastern Equatoria State 97.5 FM, Speaker Charles Udwar Ukech relieves seven SPLM Party legislatures from their positions and appointed new members to assume their positions.
The Decree also relieved the late Fr. Dominic Otwari Theodore who had already been replaced as the chairperson of the education committee and replaced him with Hon. Alphonse Muras Chacha.
The speaker also relieved Peter Otim Karlo as the SPLM Party Chief Whip and appointed Dr. Magret Itto Leonardo in his place.
Among other chairpersons and deputies relieved were those of the committees of public service, physical infrastructure, education, deputy for finance and planning, deputy for education, and deputy for security and public order.
“In exercise of powers conferred upon me…and based on the recommendation of the SPLM Party, I Rt. Hon Charles Udwar Ukech, Speaker of Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly do hereby relieve the following chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of specialized committees effective from the 2 Sept 2024 as follows. Peter Otim Karlo from Chief Whip, Paul Napwon, Hon. Late Fr. Dominic Otwari Theodore, Magret Kasara Kiwa, Christine Nakwar, and Joseph Lokodo Colombos,” the decree read in part. “I Rt. Hon Charles Udwar Ukech, Speaker of Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, hereby appoints the following chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of specialized committees effective from the 2nd of Sept 2024 as follows. Dr. Magret Itto Leonardo as Chief Whip, Samira Ayen Ateib, Angelina Quintino Okun, Alphonse Muras Chacha, Ochan Bongomin, Alma Maha Gordon and Julius Amin Ben.”
Former SPLM Party Peter Otim Karlo said he was not aware of his changes but described it as routine, welcomed it, and said he will now be able to focus on his business.
“I was told by somebody else that I have been relieved but there was no update given to me,” he stated. “This is a normal thing for me so any change does not affect me because I am already a set person who has businesses and I have been on and off in the system. It does not even change my plans and the way I live.”
For his part, Julius Amin Ben, the newly appointed deputy chairperson of the parliamentary education committee, welcomed his appointment, saying is a gift that will enable him to deliver services to the people.
“Any appointment in a government position is a gift for one to deliver services to the citizens of Eastern Equatoria and I am very happy with the appointment,” he said. “I have accepted the promotion and I am going to mobilize many volunteers in all the counties and we are going to encourage teachers to teach children well and improve education in South Sudan.”