Highlights
- Civil servants who demanded their payments are arrested in Jonglei
- Jonglei State Governor suspends two MPs
- Governor is accused of employing his family members in top positions
The two MPs complained about the lack of services, but the Governor accused the two of not standing with him but as members of his party. In an exclusive interview with Hon Ater Bayak, one of the MPs, on SBS Dinka Radio, Ater said the crisis between Governor and the two started after the parliament summoned the former Minister of Finance to answer questions about the delay of the state salaries.
We sometimes summon the Minister of Finance to the parliament to question him about why civil servants were not paid, which didn't go well with the Governor. The Governor and the then Minister of Finance failed to explain how much money was being sent to Jonglei from Juba.Hon Ater Bayak
Ater, who represented Duk Padiet in State Parliament, said he is MP, and the Governor shouldn't expect him to be loyal to him more than the people he represented in the parliament.
Even if we are from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance party, our role was to represent the people, but the Governor wanted us to stand with him while there were no services. Most counties of Jonglei State have months, and civil servants have virtually received nothing.
Jonglei State is South Sudan's largest State, and many areas from Fangak, Pigi and regions affected by floods cannot be accessed because of water. Ater told SBS Dinka that most of these areas affected are not getting anything, but the State Governor try to hinder their role as members of the parliament. Ater also accused the Governor of employing his family members in the highest positions in the State Government.
He suspended us to silence us, but he did this without the right procedures, and we wouldn't accept that. Also, the Governor employed members of his own family in many senior positions. For example, the cousin is the controller who signs off the state money in Juba. Another cousin is the Deputy Mayor for finance and administration in Bor. The other cousin is the head of the Jonglei Revenue Authority
We will reach out to the office of Jonglei State Governor Denay Jock Chagor and update you on his answers to these accusations.
