A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, Juol Nhomngek Daniel, who represents Cueibet County in Lakes State, on Friday attributed the country’s economic meltdown and widespread suffering to the mismanagement of public funds on the construction of an interstate road from Juba to the Bahr el Ghazal region.
According to the lawmaker, huge sums of money were diverted to the road project and mismanaged leading to delayed civil servants’ salaries and lack of service delivery. He also alleged that the road works created food insecurity and flooding, especially in the Bahr el Ghazal region.
“Bahr el Ghazal has been turned into a tool for siphoning resources while ignoring the needs of South Sudan’s citizens,” Nhomngek declared.
“The failure to pay the salaries of civil servants, government officials, and organized forces is directly tied to how the Bahr el Ghazal Road has been used to collect money from the Central Bank without accountability.”
He also expressed frustration at the flooding caused by the project, which he claimed has devastated local roads and essential infrastructure.
“The recent floods, worsened by this road project, have blocked access to critical areas, increasing insecurity and limiting the government’s ability to respond in emergencies,” he said.
The legislator pointed to severe flooding in Cueibet County and areas like Rumbek, where the road has reportedly altered natural water flows, damaging the county headquarters and cutting off communities.
He further criticized ARC Resource Corporation Ltd, the company undertaking the project for its lack of corporate responsibility.
“This company is destroying hand pumps and other water sources along the road, leaving communities without access to clean drinking water,” Nhomngek lambasted. “Our rural communities are suffering, yet ARC has shown no regard for the people affected by their operations.”
Addressing the financial aspects, the parliamentarian called on the government to take back control of financial oversight from private entities and ensure funds benefit the public. He expressed his belief that leaders from Lakes State if given control of institutions like the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, and National Revenue Authority, would manage resources more responsibly.
“One thing people need to know about the people of Lakes State is that the majority do not support corruption. Our people deserve better,” he said. “People should rise against this company (ARC). If Bahr el Ghazal Road has become a problem for both Bahr el Ghazal and South Sudan, let Bahr el Ghazal Road go back to Juba, and we will survive with our natural roads.”