Jonglei parliament squashes minister over funds diversion
By Philip Thon Aleu
August 19, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – Jonglei legislative Assembly argues Monday and Tuesday sessions that State Minister for Education should be held responsible for unaccountability of Alternative Education System (AES) funds; amounting to 1,536,900 Sudanese Pound (SDG) (about $753,380 US) for six months.
Alternative Education System is a program designed by GOSS to narrow the illiteracy grape. GOSS estimates that 85% Southern Sudanese illiterate and by 2011. The AES program will reduce this percentage to 50%.
The Parliament, through parliamentary committee on education services and a letter from Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) Ministry of Education (dated 17/7/2008), confirmed that teachers for AES have not been paid January-June, 2008 salaries.
A teacher is paid 470 SDG and there are 545 teachers. GOSS Minister for Education in responsible to letter of complain by director of AES to Jonglei Governor and copied to GOSS Education Ministry, resulting to suspension to funding Jonglei State AES effective July, 2008.
Jonglei is suspended along side Warap and Lakes States according to the copy sent to GOSS Ministry of Finance and seen by Sudan Tribune.
State Minister for education, John Antipas Ayiei ,battled legislators, in trying to clarify why AES teachers have not paid for six months, for three sessions since Friday, Monday and Tuesday but in vain.
Ayod MP, Gatkuath Tiop, summarized in a sentence that education minister is accountable for funds diversion. “The minister will be answerable for the diversion of funds,” he said.
Clearing points of doubts on convincing the minister, the Assembly formed a five member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the monetary fraud.
Antipas becomes the second minister to be investigated by a neutral committee after Health Minister, Agot Alier Leek whom MPs claimed is too, responsible for 9 months salary has not been paid to staffs in various counties.
(ST)
Henry Makuei
Jonglei parliament squashes minister over funds diversion
It will be good to follow up this as it is a wiared story. contrary to Sudan tribune, this is not a breaking news and there is no point to rush and post it to the public. it will be wise enough to go through the cases of corruption and post it later when there is full information because there are writers here with me in the western countries who just frown at articl’s subeject and react to it before analysing issues in it in-depth. otherwise I still encourage the web to post news that are not misleading.
Kur
Jonglei parliament squashes minister over funds diversion
Are a businessman? I did not know that. It is now clear that that is the reason you’re interested in matters related to coruption. Where did you initially get your capital? Why don’t you become as polite as business people do? Hypocrisy is too dangerous to swallow.
Kur
YihHon Alewei
Jonglei parliament squashes minister over funds diversion
Logic Boy, you sometimes pointed out some vital points but the way you express yourself is too abusive!
I agreed with you on the point that adult education is not a period while we have kids loitering in the streets of what you called capital city of South Sudan. If the GOSS doesn’t look at this issue of kids roaming the streets at this early stay of our new country, than we will follow the suit of neighbouring countries such as Kenya and Uganda where there are kids who depends their lives on rubbish on the streets. You have made a very strong point.
My advise to you Logic Boy is, when you make your comments don’t use bad language and side taking. We are all Equatorian, Upper Nileans and Inland Sudanese. If you are a businessman, than you are nearer to the parliament of South Sudan, people with the money can turn politicians easily because if he or she is elected as a leader than there will be less corruption because he or she is already rich.
So be responsible and don’t always take side.
biarawieu
Jonglei parliament squashes minister over funds diversion
Hi logic
do you know why all southerners are finger pointing to you, is that you alway using abusive language and also talking of tribes. as we Southerners we don,t want that, we are one community today and forever.
its true that you are enjoying the freedom of SPLA/M and everybody as well, but you don,t believe as you said. for me i couldn,t believe too as you are business man, maybe you are on the street with this narrow mind and tribalism. BY BMB