By William Madouk
The Executive Director of the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards, Gloria Nyoka, has been suspended for alleged resource mismanagement, unprofessionalism, divisive politics, and undermining the Minister.
The minister of trade, Atong Kuol Manyang, suspended Nyoka on June 13, 2025, for alleged graft, unprofessional, divisive politics, and undermining her office as the supervising minister.
“I, Atong Kuol Manyang, Minister of Trade and Industry in the Revitalized Transitional Government, do hereby issue this Ministerial Order No. 12/2025 for Suspension of the Hon. ED (Gloria Nyoka Joseph),” partly read the suspension order.
“For South Sudan National Bureau of Standards’ mismanagement of resources, unprocedural, divisive politics, and undermining the Minister, with immediate effect from the day of its signature by the Minister,” it continued.
Ms. Manyang directed Aldo Upiou Juady, Senior Director General (DG), to act until the investigation into Nyoka is completed.
“The Hon. Executive Director for SSNBS is suspended pending investigation; 2. Aldo Upiou Juady, Senior DG to act on her behalf, and,” Atong noted.
The minister of trade asked the security organs to guarantee that order is enforced quickly.
When contacted, the suspended executive director, Gloria Nyoka, acknowledged receiving the suspension order, stating that it was an administrative matter.
“Yes, I received it. This is an administrative issue, so I will just wait until we see what happens next. So, I don’t think I have anything more, I just have to wait until any action is taken,” she said.
Recently, the South Sudan National Bureau of Standards (SSNBS) tightened its grip on substandard goods, particularly items unfit for human consumption.
For example, in June alone, the Bureau of Standards returned five trucks, two carrying insect-infested imported sorghum and three carrying maize flour tainted with a high level of aflatoxin, to their country of origin.
Similarly, in May, a consignment of 11 fuel trucks carrying substandard fuel had been intercepted at Nimule border point and re-exported after being found to be non-compliant with the relevant East African Standards, just to mention but a few.
SSNBS underlined its unwavering commitment to ensure that only quality-assured and standards-compliant products enter the South Sudanese market.