President Salva Kiir on Tuesday evening formed a committee to reform the Nile Petroleum Corporation (Nilepet), the government-owned oil firm.
According to an order read on the state-owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Kiir stated that the committee will be headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, deputized by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Service, with the Managing Director of Nilepet serving as its Secretary-General.
The committee is tasked with restructuring Nilepet by ensuring that its human resources and organizational structure align with national laws and best practices in the oil and gas sector.
Kiir emphasized that the committee should develop a human resources policy that promotes equal employment opportunities based on merit, regional diversity, and gender balance. Additionally, it should ensure a fair transition of the company into an efficient, vision-driven, and accountable national institution.
The committee is also expected to overhaul the payroll and human resources management systems to eliminate duplicate and fictitious employees. Where necessary, it may submit reports, findings, and recommendations to the President within 90 days of the order’s issuance.
Other committee members include:
- The Head of Legal Administration in the Office of the President,
- The Chairperson of the National Petroleum and Gas Commission, Daniel Awow Chuong,
- A Technical Advisor from the Ministry of Petroleum,
- The Director-General of the Internal Security Bureau, and
- A representative from the National Security Service.
In a separate decree, Kiir relieved Dr. Esterina Novello Nyilok of her duties as Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Commission and appointed Dr. Justin Kawac Kawac Makuei as her replacement.
He also replaced Puok Nyang Tut Jiek Deng as Commissioner of Akobo County in Jonglei State with James Akueth Makuach.