Dismissal of Mismanagement Claims
The Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State Minister of Information, Gabriel Deng Yel, has strongly denied allegations of mismanaging the Aweil Rice Scheme and its assets. According to Minister Deng, these claims were not discussed during a recent visit by a delegation from Juba, which included high-ranking officials such as Pal Mai Deng, the National Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and Lily Albino Akol, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Purpose of the Delegation’s Visit
The delegation’s visit to Aweil was primarily to launch the rice harvest of the Aweil Rice Scheme, with the presence of the UNFOA Country Director. During their briefing, the delegates focused on reviewing the progress of the scheme and addressing challenges related to the phase harvest.
Allegations of Asset Mismanagement
However, Deputy Minister Lily Albino Akol raised concerns about the disappearance of approximately 20 tractors that were initially allocated to the Aweil Rice Scheme. She claimed that these tractors were found in the market, being hired out by private owners. Additionally, she mentioned the loss of bulldozers, graders, and housing, attributing these losses to persistent state government interference in the operation and management of the scheme.
Response from the State Minister
In response to these allegations, Minister Deng emphasized that the State government, under the leadership of Governor Simon Ober, is fully committed to the Aweil Rice Scheme and is dedicated to protecting and safeguarding its assets. He highlighted that Governor Ober has formed an Asset Recovery Committee to recover lost assets and return them to their rightful institutions, including the Aweil Rice Scheme.
Commitment to Asset Recovery
Minister Deng clarified that the current government has not rented out or sold tractors, bulldozers, and graders to private businesses, leading to their damage and abandonment. He emphasized the importance of specifying the time period during which the assets went missing to avoid incorrectly attributing responsibility to the new state government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State Minister of Information has dismissed claims of mismanaging the Aweil Rice Scheme and its assets. The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and safeguarding the scheme’s assets, and an Asset Recovery Committee has been formed to recover lost assets. The government’s dedication to the Aweil Rice Scheme is evident, and it is essential to accurately attribute responsibility for any losses to ensure the scheme’s success.
