The governor of Central Equatoria State has fired the mayor of Juba City Council (JCC) and his two deputies.
In a gubernatorial decree on Tuesday night, Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony, fired JCC Mayor Michael Ladu Allah-Jabu, Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure and Development Thiik Thiik Maryardit, and Deputy Mayor for Administration and Finance Federico Nyokun Wani.
In an immediate subsequent order, the governor then deployed Lianya County Commissioner Emmanuel Khamis Richard as the caretaker mayor of Juba City.
Adil also appointed Rev. Martin Simon Wani as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the JCC and upgraded the position to Grade One Director General.
No reasons were given for the changes but the city has been grappling with garbage and waste management.
When contacted, the spokesperson in the office of Governor Adil, Derick Derickson, said the sacking of the top trio at JCC was administrative and procedural.
“That is an administrative decision and it is within the prerogative of the governor to appoint and dismiss and no reasons were given for their dismissal,” he said. “I believe that the new interim leadership the governor has appointed will initiate changes that will transform the image of the city.”
Go Green East Africa, a firm that was contracted by JCC to manage waste and beautify the city, had its contract terminated and recently sued the Council over the illegal termination of the ten-year deal.