Citizens Decry Poor Service Delivery And Lack Of Accountability The poor State of South Sudan’s infrastructure and erratic service delivery coupled with corruption has emerged as the most pressing issues encountered by the citizens of South Sudan, which government must address. 05 April 2017 Citizens Decry Poor Service Delivery And Lack Of Accountability South sudanese wave their flags during the independence anniversary 2015 [File photo]
By Agoth Abraham AWEIL, 05 April, 2017 [Gurtong]-South Sudanese have raised concerns that the government is failing in its responsibility in delivering services to the population. Many say that the government is deeply engaged in conflict with no reforms taking neither place nor good governance. Despite many cases of corruption being brought forward there has been no accountability taken against individuals. These views were expressed in an organized community forum held yesterday in Aweil town where community leaders, women representatives, Civil Society organizations, government officials, MPs, NNGOs and INGOs were participants in the forum. During the highly attended conference organized by a civil society organisation called Help Restore Youth in South Sudan [HeRYSS] with financial support from UNDP, over 1000 participants attend the conference. Many told the organizers and government officials who were present that they have been cheated and looted. Under the conference theme ‘Peace, Good Governance and Accountability’ citizens felt the government has failed in delivering services to them and that there has been no proper accountabilities made. Angelo Atak Akol is a community leader in Aweil town who also participated in the conference. He said the government has failed to deliver services and not holding people accountable for their crimes made. “Things that need to be corrected are as follows, services are not properly going to the community, this needs to be corrected. Again, also the accountability bit, to me I feel that the party-system needs to be corrected because variations of the parties and competitions on what is to be done is a polite way of correcting certain mistakes.” He said. Kawach Deng another resident of Aweil said South Sudan is rich with various resources but only a few individuals are benefiting out of it, leaving behind the highly needed community services not delivered. “A lot of money is being generated in the State and in the national level while in utilizing that money, you cannot see where that money goes and people are collecting money. We appeal to the government to apply good governance because good governance links its people with government and when there is good governance, I think there will be no fighting.” He said. Dut Dut Thalang is another concerned citizen says the only way South Sudan will be free again will be through elections when a new group of leaders are elected. “Delivering services to the community is one of the characteristics of good governance, so we are still waiting to see if there will be any good governance or not, because the issue of war now is what has made the government not deliver services to the people. The citizens should make sure that those who are going to be elected can deliver them services, this is where the punishment comes. The only punishment comes through the ballot box by making sure that the leaders they’re electing are the leaders who deliver services to them.” He explained. Bulis Nguak the Project Manager for HeRY South Sudan, Civil Society said their project focuses on educating the citizens on basic rights and peace building among local communities in South Sudan. “We decided to educate our people on issues related to peace to at least bring together the governed and the governing (government and the people) to sit together, discuss together and see what are the challenges facing the government and its people.” He said. While reacting to the allegations of poor services delivery and lack of accountability, the Deputy Governor of Aweil State, Uber Mawut said his government is trying its level best to improve on issues concerning the people. “We committed to making serious reforms within the public financial management system. H.E the Governor has appointed the new Commissioner of SRA and we’re having a 3-year plan that will be funded by UNDP and within this system, it is going to be a modern system that will get rid of all these shortcomings that are coming from the public. Yes there are complaints but we are working to address these reforms within the tax collection-system. Some of these reports are being investigated because we cannot rush into arresting people without evidences but once evidences are produced, then we will now step up and then hold those people responsible.” He reiterated. Kuach Wek Wol, an MP in Aweil blames the police and judiciary system in the country for not holding culprits accountable for their mistakes. “My duty as an MP is make laws, review laws, oversee the executive, to speak for the people and to make accountability possible. But the question is, are the institutions of accountability there? Because as an MP in the assembly I am not a Police. The question is are the police functioning well and is judiciary functioning well? Is there any institution of accountability? Are they well funded? Are they well supported? Or what is going on?” He asked. While reacting to the claims made by some South Sudanese in Aweil, the national Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Akol Kordit says South Sudan government is trying its best in delivering services. “We have not failed to deliver services, we’re delivering services but we have challenges like any other countries in the world. South Sudan as a country is not the same as the South Sudan we inherited In 2011. We have developed the infrastructures, we have telecommunication networks in place, we have tried to build roads, we have got health centres and hospitals, we are picking up. But of course there has been a great setback as a result of the 2013 crises which greatly affected the economy in South Sudan.” He said. In reference to the alleged lack of accountability, at least 7 doctors have been accused of diverting drugs to their private clinics. 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