Anti-corruption chief in Western Equatoria state vows to end corruption

October 5, 2010 (YAMBIO) – The newly sworn in chairperson of the Anti Corruption Commission for Western Equatoria state, Simon Ngbiidigi, has promised to make the southern state a corruption “Free State.”

Addressing reporters shortly after being sworn into office on 5 October, Ngbiidigi said “it is imperative that we work to root out […] corruption”.

He urged government members to “seek new ways to fight the problem head on.”

Ngbiidigi said, “I am pleased and honored to acknowledge the trust bestowed upon him by the state government to lead the most important commission.”

He added that, he will do anything in his capacity to work diligently and to wage vigorous war against corruption. The commissioner said that corruption seriously inhibits the growth of all developing countries including South Sudan and Western Equatoria State.

Ngbiidigi said his first step will be, “to put in place the structure of the commission and recruit, as soon as possible, dedicated staff since it took 5 good years for the commission to be established in Western Equatoria.”

The Anti Corruption Office will check that government resources in the state are going out in correct channels.

The Governor of Western Equatoria Col. Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro said that, he expects straight forwardness to make Western Equatoria state an “exemplary state in curbing corruption.”

Bakosoro urged the Chairperson of the Anti Corruption Commission to guide and balance the state government to do the right things since anti corruption intends “to first guide and advice on how to run government businesses.”

The governor further advised Ngbiidigi to visit all the ten counties of Western Equatoria “to assess their works and advise and warn where necessary before actions are taken.”

Bakosoro promised that the state government will cooperate with the commission “to root out the dangerous virus of corruption.”

In September this year, a team from the Anti Corruption Commission of the regional government toured all the states of southern Sudan to enlighten and educate the senior officials on corruption and ways how to curb the disease.

There is mounting concern in southern Sudan that official corruption is eroding the authority of the autonomous southern government that has been in place since a 2005 peace deal.

Western Equatoria is one of the last states in South Sudan to establish an Anti Corruption Commission.

After winning April’s elections the President of the Government of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit promised during his inauguration speech that there would be a zero tolerance to corruption in his government.

The underdevelopment in Southern Sudan has been subjected to high levels of corruption which has affected the proposed developmental agenda of former rebels the SPLA who govern southern Sudan.

(ST)