SOMEBODY TO HELP UPPER NILE STATE FROM BEING LOOTED BY THE GOVERNOR

This is an SOS call for help. The SPLM government of Upper Nile State headed by H.E. Simon Kun Pouch is looting the state with impunity. Someone must come in and support the community. The list of looted items is endless. 150,000 Million approved by Assembly last year for the constructions of internal roads of Malakal town has been embezzled by the Governor. He took the money by Christmas time to Australia, Ethiopia and Uganda either to buy houses or renovate them. This is abroad light theft in which the national government should have noticed and brought him to books. Witnesses to the theft are construction companies like KANO and Chinese.

Many government houses and plots in Malakal town have been given to governor's relatives including lands that belong to national army the SPLA. It is being reported or observed by the public that the governor is looting government properties in the governor's residents and public buildings and taking them to unknown destinations since it is also being rumored of his removal from office.

The governor looted teachers' salaries for the months of June and July triggering sit-in and strike by teachers and street demonstrations by students. Two Radio Miraya reporters were briefly detained by governor's security. Because of the salary wrangling the trade union was disbanded resulting in the union leader escaping the town to Juba.

Government and humanitarian vehicles has been cautioned in close biding only the relatives or Nuer associates of the governor. Expensive cars of the ministers were sold cheaply and even proceeds did not get into government treasury. Humanitarian Vehicles like those of IOM trucks, ADRA, OXFAM, TearFund and IRC agencies were also desposed to individuals at minimum prices.

How do SPLM think they will win next elections in Upper Nile with such bad records? What is happening in Upper Nile is definitely not good governance. This leaves the question whether SPLM came to develop South Sudan. Many of those in the government have other nationalities such they loot and take the money to their other country and leave the poor south Sudanese to fend it off for themselves. Millions of dollars taken by the type of Simon Kun could have brought development and even stop killer diseases like malaria.

The recent National Assembly vetting was an action in the right direction to expose those who looted South Sudan of its wealth. Simon Kun do not possess any kind of academic credentials to have him become a governor but mechanical voting of illiterate primitive Nuer that brought him to power.

The damage that Simon Kun has incurred in Upper Nile State over the years he has in power will never be corrected over many years. He has brought in unqualified civil service Nuers who has never been to school to senior position like a sergeant in police to become executive position in the local government.

Simon Kun is dangerous person. He maintains former JIUs as his person guards in SPLA uniform. He is running the state as his personal property. Somebody have to come to help Upper Nile State from the imminent collapse.

By Yorwin Otor; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.