Kiir reconstitutes transitional committee, Nilepet board

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has reconstituted the National Transitional Committee (NTC) and the board of the state-owned Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet), state television announced on Friday.

The NTC, previously led by Tut Gatluak who was replaced, will now be chaired by senior presidential advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk, according to the decree readout on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC).

Chol Mawut, the minister of presidential affairs, has been appointed deputy chairperson, and peacebuilding minister Stephen Par Kuol will serve as secretary.

Other members include Kiir’s envoy on special programs Bol Mel, defense minister Chol Thon, agriculture minister Josephine Lagu, interior minister Angelina Teny, finance minister Marial Dongrin, wildlife minister Rizik Zechariah Hassan, NSS head Akec Tong, and Kuong Donhier.

Kiir tasked the reconstituted committee with expediting the implementation of the remaining phases of the security arrangements before the end of the extended transitional period. The committee is also responsible for preparing and executing a budget for these activities.

In a separate decree, Kiir dissolved the Nilepet board and appointed new members, including ministers and private sector representatives.

Chol Mawut, presidential affairs minister, will serve as chairperson, with petroleum minister Puot Kang Chol as deputy chairperson.

Board members are the agriculture and forestry minister, first undersecretary of finance and planning, undersecretary of petroleum, governor of central bank, head of legal administration in the office of the president, director general the NSS, head of the medical unit in the office of the president, and a private sector representative.

According to the decree, managing director of Nilepet will act as the board’s secretary.