South Sudan admits existence of corruption in the region
By Ngor Arol Garang
June 11, 2010 (TURALEI) — The regional government of South Sudan has on Friday 11 admitted existence of corruption in the region. Dr. Pauline Riak, Chairperson of Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission in a speech read on her behalf, said her commission recognizes existence of corruption in the region.
According to the report, she was quoted explaining that the reporting guidelines are meant to empower the government officers at all levels to report corruption cases adequately and ultimately facilitate eradication of the vice across the region.
The report further reported to have quoted her reporting that the mission of the commission is to create a corruption-free Southern Sudan and that it will not be easy to achieve this mission if no joint efforts are extended to the commission by all relevant institutions of government and the private alike to help in the conduct of day today functions of the commission.
While expressing confidence in commission to fulfill its objectives in collaborations with the concerted effort of all leaders, she emphasized the role of effective reporting in fighting corruption.
“You cannot protect public resources and properties without adequate reporting. You cannot tell anybody weaknesses or strengths of an institution without report filed in line with standard procedures. You cannot charge someone without authentic report and certainly you cannot try anybody if at all there are records,” Dr. Pauline reportedly said in her report.
She said Southern Sudan cannot develop if anticorruption is not combated by all efforts. It is a tedious task that requires participation of real patriots to control it. It is neither a home assignment nor a one person task. It is a regional task that requires our participations if we do not need to allow corruption mar development of the region, she stressed.
Responding to questions from the audiences largely made up of chairpersons of independent commissions, Mr. Deng Deng Hoc Yai, who occupies second most powerful seat in the commission as executive director, reiterated that his commission is determined to keeping up the fight against corruption notwithstanding challenges of which he identified some as lack of prosecution powers; high staff turnover; and inadequate legislative provisions.
He also reported that a total of 90 cases were investigated in 2009 and additional 23 have so far been investigated in 2010. “The commission investigated 90 cases in the year 2009 and have has received and investigate additional 23 cases this year in reference to 2010” Deng said.
The executive director was further quoted reporting that the commission has so far received 222 wealth declaration forms from public officials but was quick to add that the response rate from the target is low, because commission expected declaration forms from about 1,000 officers.
However, he said he hopes more response would trickle in since the commission has the backing of the relevant institutions. I hope many more forms will be received in due course, because all institutions have shown willingness to voluntarily mobilize turning out of declarations of wealth, he said.
“We do not need to name some officials at this junction. We are encouraging people to voluntarily declare their wealth in line with rules and regulations governing public offices. The commission will however name and shame officials who have not declared their wealth in future,” he said.
The commission also launched five-year strategic and action plans covering 2010-2014 and affirmed determination to deliver its mandate through all lawful means as expectations of the public are rising by the day.
(ST)
jur_likang_a_ likan'g
South Sudan admits existence of corruption in the region
This is indeed a sad day!! How can liberators be corrupt. what an irony!! I hope they should practice what they preached since the beginning of the movement. Please correct yourselves.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
South Sudan admits existence of corruption in the region
Not just admitting, South Sudan is always a corrupt and failure state under the leadership of Kiir Mayardick. Not everyone but the ignorance who are running the Government of Sick Services GOSS. South Sudan has never been a place for the poor to survive, leaders, ministers and MPs has total fail to recognized the rights, freedom and proper management of the nation.
Underage girls are now loitering in the streets of Juba entering the World of prostitution, children as young as 6 years are running behind the wheel of trailer to survive. We are total out of the human living standard under the leadership of Slava Kiir, South Sudan is not longer heading to its dream destination but to jungle of hyenas and baboons. I feel bad if this is what we have struggle to achieve for the last 21 years. I just fear the pain that will inflict on my people otherwise it is better to be call bad person. Big shame to GOSS ministers, MPs and alike who turn blind eyes to the streets in Juba. This is an absolute ignorance we are displaying in this nation.