Terekeka governor denies nepotism in cabinet appointments

1 June 2016 (JUBA) – Juma Ali Malou, governor of Terekeka state, has described as unfortunate reports accusing him to have appointed members of his cabinet without considering fair representation of other constituencies comprising the state, attracting criticism and resignations from his government.

“It is unfortunate there is such thinking. There was nothing I did without the involvement of everybody at the time of the appointment. I carried out wider consultations in the area, beginning it with the SPLM leadership, elders, youth, women group and all approved the list of the people who were recommended for appointments in various positions by all these groups. There was nothing I did alone,” explained governor Juma Ali Malou on Wednesday when reached to comment on the reports in which his former information minister and deputy governor accused him of nepotism.

Malou said the cabinet would convene a meeting in coming days to discuss the decision of his deputy, Clement Maring Samuel, who resigned his position and accused governor of misusing pubic funds.

Maring submitted his resignation in a 30 May letter after the resignation of the Terekeka information minister in the same month. The former county commissioner also accused governor Malou of corruption and nepotism.

The former deputy governor confirmed his resignation, saying he was not impressed by anybody to resign his position but that he found unwise to compromise his principle of fairness.

“I accepted the appointment because it was a call to duty by the people of Terekeka state to serve them with humility, dignity and respect. I did not join the government to be part of corruption. I also accepted because I believe my relationships with the governor were cordial and I hoped we were going to develop even more close relationship to provide services to our people. Unfortunately I discovered the governor was not ready to cooperate and so the relationship deteriorated in a very short period of time, especially after discovering that he has no vision for delivering services,” explained Maring.

The official also accused the governor of lack of transparency in financial resources and in the distribution of fuel to facilitate the movement of the government officials in the area and beyond for official business purposes.

Terekeka is one the 28 newly created and controversial 28 states in South Sudan. I is part of the former East Darfur state.

(ST)