South Sudan reverses policy on government owned houses and vehicles
By James Gatdet Dak
May 29, 2009 (JUBA) – The semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has endorsed to study a proposal that aims at reversing its current policy on usage of government owned vehicles by civil servants.
The proposal, which was presented by the Minister of Transport and Roads, David Deng Athorbei, revealed that the government was losing lots of money in purchase and maintenance of vehicles since 2005.
Thousands of vehicles mostly 4-wheel drives have been purchased by the Government and many are already off road because of misuse and poor maintenance.
The proposal attributed the situation to gross misuse of the vehicles by civil servants in various government organs, levels and units.
Hundreds of vehicles are also suspected to have not reached Southern Sudan from contracted international companies despite earlier payments of millions of dollars to contractors by concerned ministries or by finance ministry.
The memo, which was still under study and would be brought back to the cabinet in comprehensive form for final resolutions, would also apply to the ten state governments of Southern Sudan.
The GoSS official Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Gabriel Changson Chang, said only constitutional post holders would be allowed to use government vehicles, but civil servants would be scrutinized and categorized to sort out which positions or units should qualify for the entitlement.
He added that the usage of government vehicles by certain units or staff categories would also be restricted after working hours.
Based on the gravity of the loss incurred by the government on maintenance of vehicles, Chang said a policy to support individual ownership of vehicle by such civil servants would be devised and implemented in the next budget for the year 2010.
Government purchased buses and commercial transports will also be studied as part of the proposal to be used by junior staff who may not afford the car ownership policy.
He explained that the new policy would help fight corruption involved in vehicle maintenance and would save the government money.
GoSS also proposed to study reverse of policy on public housing to devise mechanisms that would make it possible for individual officials to own government houses they have occupied instead of temporary and free accommodation.
The housing policy is expected to include payment of the house-worth amount of money by installments until the accommodated official clears the whole amount and gets legal ownership of the house.
Thousands of civil servants are believed to have been accommodated in government owned houses throughout Southern Sudan.
(ST)
Dauson Gieth
South Sudan reverses policy on government owned houses and vehicles
A big credit to the minister
For the first time, a good policy is coming home. Personally, i pitied this Country for continuing to lose millions of Dollars for purchases of very expensive new models 4W drive vehicles, free feeding and accomodation of GoSS officials
There is no single Country in Africa that spends on cars and accomodation for Government officials like South Sudan. No Country where every Director, uses the same car model used by the president, all purchased by the government.
I am puzzled that on top of GoSS agenda, purchase of larvishly looking new models vehicles. You can see along Juba Yei road, hundreds of new landcruisers entering Juba. Thats daily
At one point, i thought the financial crisis in the South is linked to cars purchases
To stop the misuse of government owned cars houses, these officials allocated cars and houses have to let go some cash. Monthly deduction for the vehicles and houses need to be effected on their salaries. at the end of the payment, the car/house is owned by a civil servant who has paid for it
This will boost the maintenance. They will take care of these property as their own
This has been applied in very many Countries notably Rwanda and they are doing very well
Can’t wait to see this policy practicalized!!!
Kur
South Sudan reverses policy on government owned houses and vehicles
It was wrong in the first place for the Government of South Sudan to buy cars for the individual use of those who are receiving salaries from the South Sudanese treasury. These civil servants must buy their own cars if they need them. What benefit we have achieved in providing luxurious cars to those irresponsible officials? Those cars have been used for private business and family care by government employees.This action was wrong and it is still wrong. Moreover, those who occupy government owned houses must pay monthly rent to boost government income.
Kur
Justin Chicago opiny
South Sudan reverses policy on government owned houses and vehicles
This is good news something has to be done to bring the waste of government money to a waste.As for housing it is simple the ministry of housing should embark on construction of housing estates for every citizen that can afford and introduce mortgages. Make transpotatation available by making available Buses to every localities and all Government vehicles should be parked by the end of the days work. Once the rule is put in place it must be a real rule that should be followed like the 10 commandment there should not be the 11th commandment that stipulates that if you are not caught in the act then you are not guilty.There is nobody above the law that should be the slogan.
AUGUSTINO DENG
South Sudan reverses policy on government owned houses and vehicles
Hey Mr Gabriel Changson,
It is good in order to confess some of the things which demoted the Southern Sudan development since you are one of the people amongst the corruptors Ministers in Southern Sudan. You know it very well that Southern Sudanese Ministers inluding you are using money for the seek of their own business instead of developing some other important things like schools, hospitals and so forth.
If you and other Southern Sudanese Ministers knows it that Southern Sudan Government is using money on buying cars, houses and other amenities, then why don’t you sits together and implement something about what you can do with the Southern Sudanese money being granted by the Khartoum Government?. Instead, the Southern Sudan Government owned houses and vehicles, it is better for them in order to equips the SPLA with all sorts of military power such as buying big artillery, tanks as well as they should organized the SPLA. Anyway, Mr Gabriel Changson, I’m very happy indeed because you bring that point up and I do appreciated your proposal of reversing the policy in Southern Sudan.
One thing to reminds you and you forget about it, is that some other Southern Sudanese Ministers buy houses from abroad like America, British, Nertherland, Candada, Australia and so many other places like Kenya and South Africa, Pretoria.