Dr. Chol Deng Thon, the Bulldozer who is illicitly Brewing Nilepet for Regime Change Agenda behind the scene

Dr. Chol Deng Thon at the construction site of Nilepet Headquarters in Juba (File Image)

By Deng Joseph Mareng

Any country's successful government business strives to strike a balance between its profitability and the welfare of its workers as well as the company's goal of improving productivity and development; this leads to not only success but also lowers the likelihood of social and political issues arising in society. In this regard, the career paths of public institutions have always been straightforward. However, under the current managing director of Nilepet, the career lives of employees have changed dramatically and become more complex, which has contributed to the emergence of many workers' problems. The National Oil and Gas Company (Nilepet) was managed by the former managing directors, who were known for their simplicity and ease in providing social welfare to its employees. This pattern is unmistakable proof that the current managing director has failed in this, and to convince the dear reader of this assertion, I will try to summarize some of the key rudiments so that his striking failure is noticeable.

Firstly, Lack of Human Resources Development: The Human resources development concept requires that Employees be continuously trained and certified at their work to benefit the business entity in many ways, and this is one of the most effective approaches any  managing director can apply to create a high-performance corporate culture within private or public entities. Despite the succinct description of training and development I provided above, it is both hilarious and shameful that Dr Chol Deng has neglected to train Nilepet employees since his appointment, and thus, diverted the organization's funds; set forth percentage of partnership with other foreign companies that include the budget for training and development of its cadres annually, to his pocket.

This ought to have been done to allow South Sudanese to take on the duties and responsibilities that are currently being performed by foreigners in the oil industry. Nowadays, foreigners make up the vast bulk of technocrats employed in the oil industry. If that's the case, then, where does this budget go? As a good reader, it makes sense in your judgment alone. And why, though the deal outlined in the Exploration and Productivity Sharing Agreement's Article (17) and Sub-Article (17.2) on page 53, is vivid about that; did the managing director intentionally fail to make this part possible? That is the query I will let ruminate a little in your head. But in my opinion, it is a calculated mistake meant to bring the business to its knees and pit the civil population against the ruling party in the forthcoming election.

The current managing director is not interested in staff development; at the very least, he ought to be because doing so would increase the business's value in the market, thus creating an economic boom, which does not match his intention of regime change within. Fortunately or unfortunately, the unsuccessful managing director is unaware that Abraham Maslow's psychological theory of workers, "Motivation of Workers," which has advantages for both new and experienced employees, is the foundation of good employees' growth. There is, in my opinion, no reason to prevent employees from developing their talents in a national institution such as Nilpet, if not, then, the fact that this managing director is an ego addict is apparent here. The truth is that the current managing director is a self-centered guy who childishly thinks that empowering or building the capacity of his juniors staff with greater skills snip more knowledge that hones them of taking his position in the nearest future.

Secondly, Implicit Conspiracy Against the Government by Frustrating Oil Workers to resort for Strike: As there has been a sequential demonstration in Nilepet since the appointment of Chol Deng Thon, Salva Kiir Mayardit, the president of South Sudan, ought to be aware that Dr Chol Deng is attempting to subvert the country's constitutional order indirectly through the ongoing strikes by employees and workers at the National Gas Oil Company. They are protesting the nonpayment of their costume allowances and health insurance premiums, as indicated in the statement released by their workers union last month.

Such premeditated actions in sensitive government’s institutions might trigger national protests and cause turmoil, which can result in the fall of the government, according to the anecdote of prior regimes that lost power in their own countries; the Republic of South Sudan is not exceptional given the events in Nilepet. As a staunch SPLM supporter, I wonder who we would ask if something like this occurs and who will be held accountable. Naturally, the present managing director of Nilepet is to blame for the problem due to his bad policies, but His Excellency the President will regret not acting sooner to resolve the issue; I don’t know what is so difficult in an action which rests upon a signature that doesn't take seconds.

Today, everyone on the street wonders why Dr. Chol Deng doesn't want to grant the workers and employees their rights to social benefits, although it is one of the requirements of the Exploration Agreement, which Nilepet is a part of and which includes participation in productivity under Article (21) page 59. Is this not the result of the corporation failing to meet the most basic business requirements, or has corruption emerged as a major issue hovering over the entire government? It's simply a question; I'm not making any claims. We need someone who will make employees love the company so that it increases their loyalty to the government, and their satisfaction with their situation increases enthusiasm, nationalism as well as increased productivity. 

To Dr. Chol Deng and his associates who have personal y benefits from employees’ social benefits for so long, enough is enough! They must understand that their failure in the matter of health insurance is unacceptable and may be a sufficient reason for Dr Chol Deng to leave the institution and another person appointed to succeed him. Additionally, the person who can be appointed to his position should not follow the steps instead provide social benefits such as health insurance-------to ensure the employee's peace of mind and cover one of a person's most important needs, which is health; garb allowance; as well as providing the burden of treatment and medication expenses such as a loan for Medicare for those want to attend abroad medics; and ensuring that he bears them fully in light of the high costs of various other services deemed necessary by the laws and policies.

Third, Fuel Crisis in the Market: Dear Reader, it is undeniable that Dr. Chol Deng has had a significant impact on South Sudan's inflation rate because of his persistent failure to address fuel-related prices head-on. He is aware that any country in the world will experience higher inflation rates and higher living expenses as the price of gasoline is the most convincing justification for raising the price of consumer goods, no matter what the country's economy depends on.

The current managing director has completely failed to implement the necessary policies to lower fuel prices as the entire world is being rocked by the energy crisis and the world's oil and gas leaders are doing everything in their power to find a solution. Instead, he is just too busy plotting ways to steal public funds. One liter of gasoline cost 300 SSP during the administration of the previous managing directors, particularly during the tenure of Eng. Bol Riing Mourwel. However, after the current managing director assumed control, the price of one liter of gasoline abruptly increased to 900 SSP, or by a factor of two in cost comparison terms.

Because of the continued rise in fuel prices and the lack of oversight from the appropriate authorities such as Nilepet, as well as the impact this increase is having on many aspects of our daily lives, including travel, the transport of goods and services, citizens are experiencing a serious crisis in the cost of living, which hurts their daily budget of living badly.

 Mr. President, I would like to address you in absentia and say that it is high time to implement reform in the oil sector, which is represented by the National Oil and Gas Company, whose director suffers from deliberate failure syndrome. High gas prices are one of the most dangerous trends that can lead to political conflict, economic, and social collapse as well as accrued to the whole government collapse. According to World Reality Reports, most of the protests broke out in more than 90 nations and areas recently as a result of the high cost of fuel or its scarcity. If the managing director of the National Oil and Gas Company is not fired, such reports cannot be hearsay as such but a reality turning the situation of South Sudan into a ticking time bomb capable of exploding in nearest time. The reality is that it has already begun with national oil employees, and from what I can tell, it is creeping slowly, and as such, it will be a top story very soon, at that time, it would be very late. Dr Chol Deng is pretending to be unaware while, nevertheless being aware of it because it is his aim; this is the right time to sign the decree for his exit. 

The writer is a cadre of SPLM and could be reached via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.