By Adia Jildo
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Pal Mai Deng as the new Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation replacing the late Manawa Peter Gatkuoth who passed away after a short illness in Egypt.
Pal Mai Deng was appointed through a presidential decree read over the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday evening.
The appointment of Deng to the hot seat of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation comes in line with the power sharing ratio as stipulated in the September 2018 Revitalized Agreement.
Pouk Both Baluang, the acting press secretary in the Office of the First Vice President said the nomination was due and part of the implementation of the peace agreement showing their commitment as SPLM-IO and SPLM.
“It was a due appointment due to circumstances known to the members of the public that there was a consultation taking place,” he said. “We nominated Pal Mai Deng according to the powers given for us by the peace agreement” said Puok.
The current transitional peace government made up of parties’ signatories to the peace agreement allotted the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation to the main opposition SPLM-IO which was occupied by their late member Manawa Peter Gathkuot who died with short illness following embattled issues of water management that sprung up in his administration.
Baluang however said Mr. Pal Mai Deng has the capability to run the office of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
“The challenges are there but with his determination and capability, we believe that he can follow and achieve the foot step of the late Manawa,” he said.
Dr. Machar’s mouthpiece noted that the nomination of Mai was submitted to the Office of the President a month ago which was fulfilled at last.
“Our members are to carryout their duties to provide services to the people of South Sudan,” he cited.
Upon his appointment Monday evening, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation congratulated and welcome their new minister Mr. Pal Mai Deng.
“The Ministry of Water resources and Irrigation welcomes and do hereby acknowledge his (Minister Pal Mai Deng) well-deserved appointment,” read a statement on the ministry’s official Facebook page.