South Sudan launches public service reform in Jonglei

By Philip Thon Aleu

November 26, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) commences a campaign to reduce number of employees, restrict appointment to offices, reviews grades granted to classified staffs and force leave others due to over employment, Ministry of Public Services and Human Development Resources has revealed.

In a meeting held in Jonglei capital Bor Town Friday November 21, GoSS Minister for Public Services Awut Deng Acuil says “Jonglei is a leading state and the model for the new policy,” State minister for Information and Communications Timothy Taban Juc told reporters here on Monday. Minister Awut Deng will now move from State to State in Southern Sudan.

According to the policy, people deprived by ages and health conditions shall be pensioned and given what Minister Timothy Taban Juc calls “due rights.” Those enjoying supper grades in overlapping but non-procedural sequences shall be re-graded.

Government Southern Sudan absorbed employees of pre-peace Sudan’s government, administrative units of the former rebels, the Sudan People’s Liberations Movement and various Southern Militia creating over employment despites merge resources.

Jonglei responded to challenges posed by over employment and jobbing in public offices through carrying out head count (roll call) in February, 2008 and force leave 80% of unclassified staffs in July this year. Victims of force leave were paid three months pension.

In May, 2008, a consultant committee of Public services, led by Dr. Stephen Abraham, collected a data of government employees from various ministries to oversee grading and sort out fake academic papers. This team, which accompanied Minister Awut Deng to Bor on Friday, remains here to release the results.

Asked whether the team would meet resistances from unclassified long serving staffs, Minister Timothy Juc says: “Our policy is quality not quantity. It is your decision to remain and receive that little as far your qualification, or be laid off.”

Juc however, acknowledged that Juba government has not established a pension policy and won’t though implement the policy efficiently and easily. He meanwhile observed that many people obtain well paid grades on different affiliations and unprofessionally.

(ST)