President Salva Kiir. (Office of the President).

President Salva Kiir has issued a republican order separating the powers of the Minister of Petroleum, the undersecretary, and the director-general of the Petroleum Authority.

The order cancels some powers and duties of the Director General of the Petroleum Authority.

It then grants powers of the Minister of Petroleum as the highest authority in the institution to establish good work, and cooperation and create external relations with countries, states and administrative Areas.

The order was in line with Article 114 of the Constitution, Paragraph 12 of the Petroleum Law of 2012.

The minister is obliged to sign on behalf of the government agreements and treaties with petroleum companies willing to invest in the country but after the approval of the Gas and Petroleum Authority.

He or she will represent the government in petroleum treaties and supervise the ministry’s activities as well as play any public or political role following the law.

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary acts as chief accountant and is tasked to ensure the optimal use of the Ministry’s resources and budget, ratify the budgets signed with the operating companies, and be responsible to the Minister and assist him in implementing governance policies in the field of oil.

This is under the Public Service Law, paragraphs 15 and 16 of 2011, as well as paragraph 8 of the Financial Accounting Law of 2011.

The undersecretary’s duty shall be to lead the Special Committee for Marketing and Selling Crude Oil per international laws and standards.

The order also mandates the accountant official to ensure the highest quality services, purchases and sales by companies operating transparently.

He or she shall preside over technical and technical meetings in the field of oil with investors among other duties.

The order was also granted to the Director General of the Petroleum Authority the responsibility to oversee the daily work in oil production areas.

He or she shall cooperate with the Undersecretary in the field of infrastructure development in the petroleum sector, such as transportation, refineries, and oil wells.

The presidential order directs the Ministry of Petroleum and relevant government institutions, including companies operating in the field of petroleum to implement the order.