By William Madouk
A newly formed South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) council is expected to take oath within the next week.
However, the council, chaired by Dr. Kuorwel Kuai Kuorwel, will be responsible for oversight, decision-making, and policy drafting within the bureau.
Previously, decisions regarding the Bureau of Standards were made by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, but with the formation of the council, this practice will cease.
Dr. Kuorwel explained that the Bureau of Standards has a management structure headed by the Executive Director, will be responsible for day-to-day activities.
“My role with the Council, we are the governing body – that means the policy of the Bureau and what the Bureau is doing on a daily basis is to be supervised by us,” Kuorwel added.
“The Council is now going to be helping (SSNBS executive director) to make sure that they take the decision,” he noted.
“So, in case I want to ask the Minister (of Trade) to take our policy to the next level, then the Council will be in a position now to inform the Minister.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Trade and Industry, William Anyuon, disclosed that the council members, once sworn in, will convene to discuss agendas, formulate policies, and present them to the Minister for further approval.
“The Executive director (Ms. Gloria) will come up with an agenda – and then you people (SSNBS Council) sit, discuss that one, do the policies, and bring it to the Minister of Trade…who will take it to other levels of approvals,” he added.
Anyuon emphasized that the council will not have a fixed office but will conduct meetings as necessary to address bureau-related matters.
He drew a parallel between the SSNBS council and the National Revenue Authority Commission’s council, stating that the council’s work will be submitted to the Ministry of Trade for further action.
“So, there is no way here that a chairperson can take all issues of National Bureau of Standards and then go to council of ministers because he is not a member. A member is the Minister of Trade,” he noted.
“So, Hon Nyoka, make sure from today you have to work closely with your staff here and the Minister of Trade and Industry. You will also work together with the council when the council want to discuss something like our policies.”
Furthermore, Anyuon suggested that the name of the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) be changed to either “South Sudan Bureau of Standards” or “National Bureau of Standards” to align with international naming conventions.
The SSNBS is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Co-operatives, governed by the National Standards Council.
The Executive Director is responsible for the bureau’s day-to-day operations.