By Yiep Joseph
Vice President (VP) for Economic cluster, Benjamin Bol Mel takes over office as First Deputy Chairperson of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) a ruling party.
Key in his address on Tuesday after assuming office, Bol vowed to ensure implementation of the policies and programs.
In the new position, Bol is expected to spearhead SPLM programs towards peace and economic recovery.
“We are the leading party; we must implement our policies” Bol said.
VP Bol assumed the office on Tuesday together Mary Apai Ayiga, 2nd Deputy Chairperson, Simon Kun Puoch, 3rd Deputy chairperson, and Kwong Danhier, the First Deputy Secretary and Acting Secretary General.
Bol called on the parties to cooperate and ensure that the SPLM policies are implemented.
Policies are written statements that guide the thinking and action of managers in decision making, it serves various purposes such as uniformity and ease coordination hence success.
SPLM has been championing the slogan “Justice, Liberty and Prosperity” and its vision of “Taking town to the people,” as stated by its founder and late Dr. John Garang De Mabior.
The SPLM First Deputy Chairperson, who is also Vice President for Economic cluster, acknowledged the strategic position of the party, citing that as ruling party, members must work for the benefit of South Sudanese.
“SPLM is a heart of our country today, we must work for our people, deliver services to our people” he said
VP Bol reiterated the party commitment to ensure services such as healthcare, schools, among others, are delivered to the people. He called on citizens to have trust in the party.
“Trust us to develop peace and we shall deliver, trust as to deliver development and wait for our nation to be reformed” he said
In the recent days after VP Bol assume duties as head of economic cluster, salary disbursement for civil servant and organized forces took effect despites complain by some members that there is no cash being paid.
Meanwhile according to the statement obtained from Vice President social media page, VP Bol called for unity.
In his address after assuming the office, Dr. Bol Mel looked forward to serving under the leadership of the SPLM Chairperson, His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and called on all citizens to unite behind the SPLM.
“All South Sudanese trusted the SPLM since 1983 and we delivered independence. Now, trust us to deliver peace, and we shall deliver. Trust us to deliver development, and our nation to be transformed,” he said.
Early SPLM plan to improve economy
Early this year the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party, whose chairman is President Salva Kiir, unveiled plans to manage South Sudan’s economy better.
The directives issued during an SPLM leadership meeting, aim to prioritize timely salary payments, enforce lawful revenue collection, and eliminate illegal tax exemptions.
The measures are critical as South Sudan grapples with deep-rooted economic challenges, including overreliance on oil revenue, widespread corruption, and delays in paying government workers.
These issues have sparked public unrest and undermined trust in government institutions.