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Sudan Tribune

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Juba pledges to improve public sector through regional iniative

October 21, 2010 (JUBA) – The regional government of southern on Thursday pledged its commitment and determination to exert all necessary efforts to transform public sector to become a viable institution as its referendum on possible independence approaches.

Awut Deng Acuil the Labour and Public Services Minister signs the  million agreement with Norway, Oct. 14 2010 (ST)
Awut Deng Acuil the Labour and Public Services Minister signs the million agreement with Norway, Oct. 14 2010 (ST)
Speaking at a press briefing, Awut Deng Acuil, minister of labor and public service, said the vision of the ministry is to transform the public sector into strong institutions to effectively and efficiently manage the affairs of the region.

The autonomous government of southern Sudan recently received $10 million (SDG 24.6 million) from the government of Norway to strengthen the capacity of the south’s public sector.

Speaking on behalf of the government of Norway, Erik Solheim, minister of the environment and international development, expressed his happiness that south Sudan was receiving regional support as it emerged from over two decades of north-south civil war that ended in 2005.

“We are extremely happy to see the neighboring countries assisting south Sudan with critical capacity support. This initiative opens a new era for capacity building in Africa,” said minister Solhiem in a statement.

The donation came in support of the IGAD Regional Initiative for Capacity Building Enhancement in South Sudan.

Norway hopes that through the IGAD initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) they will be able to support government of south Sudan to develop the capacity of the public sector across the region.

In close cooperation with the ministry of labor and public service, a total of 200 highly qualified civil servants from IGAD member states will be seconded to perform strategic functions within government of south Sudan ministries, commissions and state-level government.

UNDP country director, Claudio Caldarone, commended the government of Norway for providing financial assistance to strengthen capacity of the public sector in the region.

“The seconded civil servants will contribute to meeting the acute demand for strengthening capacity of public sector in south Sudan. They will provide the training and technical expertise necessary to building long term capacity within their host institutions,” explained Caldarone.

The selected civil servants from IGAD member states will be highly qualified and experienced in areas such financial management and public administration, which have been identified as priority areas for capacity development by the regional government.

Minister Acuil welcomed financial assistance last week and expressed sincere thanks to government of Norway and IGAD member states for the initiative.

“We welcome the generous contribution of the government of Norway and the efforts of the UNDP, as well as government of Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, in realizing this opportunity,” said Acuil.

(ST)

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