By William Madouk
Acting Juba mayor, Emmanuel Khamis Richard, has fitted-in former mayor, Michael Lado Allah-Jabu’s shoes, promising to uplift the face of the city, which is chocked with garbage.
Mr. Khamis, who also doubles as the Commissioner of Lainya County, thanked the governor, Emmanuel Adil, for the trust bestowed upon him to head the leadership of the City council.
He called for teamwork to effect robust transformative initiatives to change the image of the capital by making Juba clean, improving security, promoting peace, and boosting business in the city.
“I am not here to chase everybody; I am coming here to work with everybody who is willing to do his work fully,” Mr. Khamis said while assuming his duties.
He said Juba as the face of the country, if dirty, that portrays the reflection of the people living inside it.
“So, let us work together. There is no way we can turn our own house into garbage ground,” he added.
Mr. Khamis also pledged to eliminate idleness among the staff of Juba City Council, saying they will rather put on overalls and gumboots to go to field to collect trash.
He also calls on security to monitor the staff performance.
“From now on, JCC will operate 24 hours a day; there will be no Sundays. There are people who will be on duty on Sunday and also staff on night shift, so we will work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
Meanwhile, Central Equatoria state governor Adil Anthony directed the newly assigned caretaker Mayor to rectify the rampant littering and garbage disposal to salvage the city’s status.
He also stressed that the public outcry over poor garbage management has been disturbing and requires immediate rectification through concerted efforts.
Adil called for immediate restructuring of the city’ council before the pronouncement of a substantive mayor so as to streamline the work, especially in beautification and rampant littering along the streets.
The state Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Moro Isaac Jenesio, called for support to the Acting Mayor as he embarks on a reform agenda to maintain sanitation and security in the city.
In attendance were the State Commissioner General of the Insurance and Regulatory Authority, Paul Latio Abbas Ramba, and the Commissioner of Yei River County, Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa.
On Tuesday, Adil dismissed the mayor of the Juba City Council, Michael Lado Allah-Jabu.
The governor also removed the deputy mayor in charge of infrastructure development, Thiik Thiik Mayardit, the deputy mayor in charge of finance and administration, Frederick Nyokun, and the council CEO, Morgan Alfateh.
According to the decree, Lainya County Commissioner Emmanuel Khamis will assume the role of steering the city council in an acting capacity until a replacement for the mayor is announced.