South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Central Equatoria State Butchers Union has rejected the ministerial order dissolving it’s steering committee that was issued by Alex Lotiyu Elia the minister for Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism.
“We the butchers are working with the constitution and in relationship with the local government and specifically under City Council, we totally rejected the order made by the minister because it is unconstitional according to the butchers’ union law,” Peter Lado Bero, the chairperson for the Central Equatoria State Butchers Union said during press conference held in Juba on Friday.
Bero said that the minister wants to replace him as head of the steering committee with his close confidant James Marin Alison who is the deputy director for livestock in the ministry.
“We are not going to accept the minister’s order, the minister was acting outside the law and order, article 7(a) says that the general assembly shall be the highest authority of Central Equatoria State Butchers Union and its decision shall be binding and final on all matters relating to the union,” he said.
Lotiyu on Thursday dissolved the steering committee for the Central Equatoria Butchers Union and its sub-offices in Juba.
“This order shall be cited as ministerial order number 1/2024 for the dissolution of the steering committee for the central equatorial butchers union and its sub-offices in Juba markets and shall come into force form the date of its signature by the minister,” the order read.
Zachariah Juma, the deputy chairperson for Central Equatoria State Butchers Union said that the ministerial order is unconstitutional.
“The minister surprised us by closing the offices of the Butchers Union, the minister has no relation with the union, we are by law under the ministry of justice, we take our license from the legislative council and the city council is not aware,”Juma said.
He said that the ministry of animal resources, fisheries and tourism should keep to it’s task of inspecting beef, adding that it has no authority on the butchers union steering committee.
“If there is any problem we have to resolve it and if we are not able to resolve it, the ministry of justice can resolve that matter,” Juma said.
