29/11/2024
Dishonesty and Mismanagement Allegations Surface Against Warrap State Revenue Authority Commissioner General
Kuajok, November 29, 2024, In a development stirring significant controversy, Hon. Thiony Majok Aleu, Member of Parliament for Akon South, Constituency No. 11, has issued a statement raising serious concerns about the conduct of Hon. Ngor Dhuol, the Commissioner General of the Warrap State Revenue Authority.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Breach of Constitutional Duties
Hon. Thiony accuses Hon. Ngor of overstepping his authority by monopolizing revenue collection, disregarding both national and local laws. According to the statement, Hon. Ngor has prevented the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and local government bodies from collecting taxes in Warrap State, in violation of key provisions of the South Sudan Transitional Constitution and the Local Government Act 2009.
Citing Articles 177 and 179 of the constitution and Section 74 of the Local Government Act, Hon. Thiony highlighted how Hon. Ngor’s actions have disrupted proper financial management. Notably, in 2023, Warrap State employees experienced two months of unpaid operations due to the NRA's exclusion, leading the National Ministry of Finance and Planning to penalize the state by reducing its operational funds by 40%.
Corruption Allegations and Legislative Summons
The statement also alleges that Hon. Ngor has engaged in nepotism, appointing 21 relatives to key revenue collection positions across various locations, including Wunrok Bridge, Tonj Town Bridge, and Kuajok Market. Furthermore, Hon. Thiony revealed that Hon. Ngor was summoned by the Warrap State Legislative Assembly on April 20, 2023, for corruption and mismanagement of public funds but refused to appear, fearing impeachment.
Hon. Ngor is accused of defying the Warrap State Constitution, particularly Articles 56 and 78, and the Legislative Assembly’s Conduct of Business regulations. This conduct, Hon. Thiony argues, undermines the legitimacy of his appointment and the proper functioning of the Revenue Authority.
Allegations of Political Nepotism
Hon. Thiony claims that Hon. Ngor’s appointment was driven by family ties to Governor Francis Marial Abur. He alleges that the decision was influenced by a dowry-related family obligation, rather than merit or public interest.
Call for Action
Hon. Thiony has urged Governor Francis Marial Abur to reconsider Hon. Ngor’s appointment, warning of potential political and economic fallout if corrective measures are not taken. He further referenced Vice President Gen. Taban Deng’s recent speech at the Governors' Forum, which criticized excessive taxation on roads in Warrap State, to underscore the broader implications of mismanagement.
Potential Consequences
Hon. Thiony concluded by suggesting that if state revenues continue to be diverted for personal or family gain, counties and payams may be forced to withhold their revenues and use them independently for local development projects, such as schools and healthcare facilities.
The growing dissatisfaction among local leaders suggests that the leadership of the Warrap State Revenue Authority may soon face increased scrutiny from both state and national authorities.
