State governments have expressed support for the decree of the president relieving the Vice President and dissolving the entire cabinet.

On Tuesday, besides dissolving the government, President Salva Kiir also relieved 17 top army and police generals from active duty.

In support of the Presidents Decree, state officials have said reducing the cabinet to 18 ministries will help save money for development purpose.

Eastern Equatoria state governor, Louis Lobong Lojore hailed the decree and said the President was responding to public call for a linear government that will serve the country efficiently.

“What happened is a normal reshuffle of a government. It is actually overdue, people have been calling for a new government, a new cabinet, and that the new cabinet must be a lean government,” he told Eye Radio.

Governor Lobong instructed the state government to outline to citizens what has happened in Juba, so that they understand the President is exercising his authority vested in him by the transitional constitution.

In Jonglei, the state governor Kuol Manyang Juuk agreed that the dissolution of the government is a democratic process.

He told Eye Radio that this dissolution of the government may have great benefits for Jonglei as the state has been “almost forgotten” by the current government.

“Those who are affected should just take it as a normal event that can affect anybody. When they were appointed, they became ministers, now they can also leave that post, he said.  “What is important is to maintain the security of our country, so that we live in peace and that will help us in the field of development.”

Matur Chut the Lakes state caretaker governor issued a press statement congratulating the President. In the statement, he said that the Lakes state population supports the President as he exercises his mandate in office.

Matur Chut also urged the President to ensure that the new cabinet includes people who are able to promote development across the country.

“This time round we need seriousness; if working hours is 5 hours, everyone should stay in the office for 5 hours, if it is 10 hours; people should stay in the office,” he said in the statement.  “We should serve the citizens and not serve just our communities. We need a united South Sudan, and we need to fight tribalism, so that we build this country for the next generations, that will push this country forward. So the next cabinet should be based on people who will take this country forward, not because he or she is from my village.”