National parliament building, Juba South Sudan. | File photo.

Parliament has unanimously decided to form a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the missing salaries of the civil servants of the defunct Amadi, Maridi and Tombura States, the speaker has said.

This came after the Parliament summoned the governor of Western Equatorial States on the matter.

But, on Tuesday, September 19, Governor Alfred Futuyo denied allegations before the national parliament.

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

Governor Futuyo stated this Tuesday 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.

Jemma Nunu Kumba says the parliament will contact the finance minister to produce records of past cash transfers to determine if the budgets were disbursed to the state.

“Hon. K Muler represents a constituency in Western Equatoria and he raised this motion, we have agreed to address it as an issue affecting Western Equatoria,” Dr Richard said.

“If it also exists in other States, the members of parliament from those constituencies have the right to raise their individual motion and bring it to the house and we will treat it accordingly,” he said.

“The minister of finance of course will have to present a comprehensive report on all the transfers to Western Equatoria State from 2020 to date. Maybe the minister of finance is not sending the money as said by the governor, maybe he is sending the money.”

“Unless he presents the report, the house will not know. With these, we have resolved to form a committee, the composition will be made, and the Speaker will form that committee after this sitting. So, we have decided to form a committee and we have brought this debate to an end.”

After the return of the country to ten States, the National High-Level Committee was formed immediately with Vice President James Wani Igga being the chairperson.

It was mandated to approve payments or withdrawals against accounts of their respective states, but not to sign contracts on behalf of the state including normal payment of the salaries of the civil servants shall also be done by the committees.

Further, it was mandated to compile an inventory of all vehicles, assets or equipment belonging to the state to allow for equitable distribution.