Alfred Futuyo, Governor of Western Equatoria during the 5th Governors Forum in Juba. Credit: Charles Wote/Eye radio - 29th November 2021

The governor of Western Equatorial States has denied before the national parliament he embezzled the salary arrears of civil servants in defunct states.

Alfred Fututyo blamed the non-payment of civil servants’ salary arrears on delays by the National Ministry of Finance to release the money.

He stated this today while responding to questions by the national parliament in Juba.

This followed a motion by Dr Richard K Muller, a member of parliament representing Mundri in the National Legislative Assembly.

According to the lawmaker, inactive civil servants have gone for nearly three years without salaries.

He alleges that despite the recommendations of the integration committee of the State on December 22, 2022, Governor Futuyo failed to integrate the civil servants from the defunct states.

While presenting his argument, MP Muller said the governor has not been serious about paying the civil servants.

“The governor of Western Equatoria has not been serious in paying the salaries of his staff which is extremely unfortunate Madam Speaker,” said Muller.

“The decrees that relieved the members of the defunct States were those who were holding constitutional posts, not the staff,” he said.

“The staff are supposed to be absorbed and integrated into the respective ten States and three Administrative Areas, this has never happened in Western Equatoria State until today and for thirty months”.

In response, Governor Futuyo says he had only received 3 billion out of the 8 billion South Sudanese pounds, making it difficult for the state government to settle the arrears.

He says, the reverting of the States to ten affected the budget for the defunct States, and that the new ceiling budget of 2021/2022 by the national government excluded the 32 state salaries.

Governor Futuyo says, that from the 2021/2022 budget, no salaries for the defunct States were sent to the States.

“No one takes what belongs to the civilians and eats it. When I came to the government, I found defunct States, and there is still an ongoing discussion about these States,” said Governor Futuyo.

“When the States were returned to ten States, the defunct Maridi State came with three counties and until today, their money is being paid. Defunct Amadi State came with three counties and until today, they receive their money, it is one of the defunct States,” he said.

“We are demanding 8 billion from the national government. That means that in these two years, our budget is 11 billion in two years. Have I eaten money, or I have been cheated?