The commissioner of Renk County in Upper Nile State, Kak Padiet Kak, has revealed that the members of the oil revenue committee have stolen more than USD 47 million from the 3 percent crude oil sale proceeds allocated to the county.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, Commissioner Padiet said the committee’s members withdrew the money from the county’s bank account at the central bank’s branch in Malakal in Upper Nile State without his knowledge.
“On 23 May 2023, I issued an order dissolving the committee. They disobeyed the order and went and complained to the governor,” he narrated. “They then went to the central bank branch in Malakal and withdrew the money.”
Padiet confirmed that seven members of the 27-member committee were arrested but later released on bail after some members of the state parliament intervened and bailed them out.
“I have dissolved the whole committee and appointed a steering committee composed of 8 members,” he said. “Those people have violated the law and embezzled public funds.”
“We will prosecute them,” Commissioner Padiet vowed.
A representative of the accused members could not immediately be reached for comment.