Africa-Press – South-Sudan. President Salva Kiir has sacked the Managing Director of national oil firm NilePet, Eng. Mohamed Lino, in a decree read on state-owned television on Thursday, after serving only three months in office.
In another decree, Kiir replaced Lino with Ayuel Ngor Kuchgor, a business executive and former chairperson of the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Lino was appointed in July 2024, replacing Eng. Bernard Amour Makeny.
According to Abraham Kuol, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Juba, frequent removal of ministers from economic dockets hampers policy implementation.
Mr. Kuol suggests that President Kiir should rethink the quick removal of ministers to give time for the implementation of policies for the betterment of the country.
However, the President has justified his quick removal of officials from economic institutions as a search for the right people to revive the economy, while revealing that national revenues are being mismanaged and end up in individuals’ accounts.
“I am looking for a solution; this is why I bring somebody today, and tomorrow I kick him out and bring another person. It is everything that I have tried,” Kiir said during the oath ceremony of current finance minister Marial Dongrin.
“When I succeed in getting the right person, I will hold him firmly and will not let him go. So, I will tell him to continue working.”
The Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet) is involved in oil exploration, development, and production in South Sudan, as well as regulation of the petroleum industry and the distribution of gasoline and diesel fuel.
Following the divestment of Petronas in August 2024, NilePet reportedly acquired assets of the Malaysian oil and gas subsidiary, prompting the foreign firm to open a case against South Sudan.
Amid slumped oil revenue due to the Sudan war, NilePet has also signed an agreement with China’s Shengli Oilfield Keer Engineering and Construction Company (SOKEC) to build a state-of-the-art oil refinery and storage facilities in the country.
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