Minister denies misusing of oil revenues by S. Sudan government

Mar 2, 2006 (NAIROBI) — The State Minister for the Interior in the Government of National Unity, Aleu Ayieny Aleu, has dismissed as lies any rumours that the government of Southern Sudan has misused its share of oil revenues.

The minister was in Nairobi, Kenya last week to attend the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) ministerial conference on refugees and internally displaced persons in the region.

In an interview with Sudan Radio Service (SRS), Aleu described those saying that the government of Southern Sudan has misused its share of oil revenue as enemies of peace.

He said “This is a lie; no money got disappeared. Those who are saying that are the enemies of peace. The money is there. The reason why it has not been given out is because the public service has to weigh a certain scale for various sectors. That is why the money has not been dispatched”.

Aleu further added that the government of Southern Sudan can account for the money it spent during its formation and that the receipts are available.

(SRS/ST)