The newly appointed Lakes State ministers and commissioners have been sworn-in.
The officials took the oath of office before Governor Rin Tueny Mabor in Rumbek on Wednesday.
Those sworn-in were ministers Mabor Meen Wol for Local Government, who replaced Chol Kuotwil Manhom, and Zechariah Magot Ater for Physical Infrastructure, Land, Housing and Public Utility, and commissioners Zechariah Malual Anyuon, who replaced Mangar Machuol Malok, and Moses Maker Magok who replaced Samuel Mabor Deng in Rumbek East and North counties respectively.
“We recognize and appreciate their colleagues who were relieved of their duties. They worked hard and deserve to be thanked,” Governor Mabor said.
“I urge the new ministers and commissioners to work as a team to deliver services to our people”.
Magok said that he knew about the challenges in the field even before his appointment as a commissioner.
“To manage those challenges, I will have to cooperate with my community, the intellectuals of Rumbek North, and the entire Lakes State,” he said.
He said it is his obligations and duty to unite the Rumbek North community.
Magok noted that it is only peace that will bring the people together and that peace needs commitment from both sides and the neighboring counties.
He said there were some peace initiatives in the community before he was appointed, noting that he witnessed the one between the Nielniel and the Gak and between the Lieth and the Manuer.
“I have to appreciate those who continue working for peace with the people of Rumbek North, who have devoted themselves to living in harmony,” he said
Ater appreciated the governor for the trust bestowed on him to serve as minister for Physical Infrastructure Land Housing and Public Utility.
He said he would work with all other officials in the ministry to confront the challenges about land ownership and management.
The issue of land, Ater noted, has become a big problem in all states in South Sudan.
“I will sit with all the communities in Lakes State to see how we can cooperate on this issue of land,” he said.