Organized forces in Jonglei are half civilians – Governor
By Philip Thon Aleu
September 13, 2009 (BOR) – Half of police, fire brigade and prison forces employees in Jonglei state are civilians, Governor Kuol Manyang Juuk disclosed.
With an anti-corruption trophy awarded to him by South Sudan president by on his table, Gov. Kuol further said that the recruitment of law enforcing agencies, done in Juba, also adds another burden to the state.
Anti-corruption policy adopted by the state authorities requires verifying that the number of personnel in payrolls does not contradict with those on the field, Gov. Kuol stressed.
“More than half of the forces recruited in Juba and sent here are civilians,” he said, adding “and we are also to trace whether the number [of forces] correspond to the number said to be here.”
The Governor was responding to questions from a journalist asking him to explain the significance of parading police, prison and fire brigade on Thursday and Friday morning.
The combination of these factors has made the primary objective, providing security to civilians, difficult, he said.
“They will not secure the community. The only get money. This is sort of corruption, is very illegal and not a good system,” Gov. Kuol said. Moreover, some officers do not have guns as required of the profession, he noticed.
Gov. Kuol argues Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) has to provide riffles for those without and try to recruit trained officers.
Though security has been worsening since January, 2009 in Jonglei state, there has been no protection provided. Attacks follow another but only condemnations and calls for UN agencies for assistance are heard from state government without averting future incidences.
Faced with increasing pressure, the state government requested GOSS for increment but figures of soldiers (recorded in Juba) in the paramilitary in the state mean the number is enough to provide security.
As such, on Thursday and Friday, a military assembly has be conducted to analyze any truth in the claim. The turn-up for the two parades and military matching gave a hint that there is little to expect from the majority of them.
Gov. Kuol says there will be screening and medical check-up to clean the forces.
(ST)