Ngor dismisses accusations of ex-commissioner
The governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Tong Akeen Ngor, has dismissed accusations of nepotism, immorality, and disunity, among others, levelled against him by the former commissioner of the state revenue authority in the state, Michael Akol Wek.
The Assistant Press Secretary of the Governor, Emmanuel Dhel Peter, yesterday released a statement saying the accusation from Akol was not constructive; the state could not overlook the individual views concerning matters of public interest.
“It has come to our attention that Michael Akol Wek has been emotionally driven by his negative cognition to write an unsubstantiated article in which he falsely accused, Tong Akeen Ngor, the Governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State, of several groundless claims such as nepotism, immorality, disunity, among other untrue allegations,” Dhel said in a statement.
“Basically, it is a constitutional right for each and everyone to have his or her say or views regarding public matters, but, it is also better to be constructive when criticising the government or a leader who is governing state affairs.”
The assistant press secretary claimed that Mr Akol resigned from the position of the commissioner of the state revenue authority due to “his administrative failure.” He described the governor as a personality with a passion for interacting with citizens, irrespective of their backgrounds.
“Governor Tong Akeen Ngor is one of the humble leaders who most time wishes to associate with all types of people in the community regardless of their social status, such as children, youth, women, and the elderly, among others,” he stated.
“There is no immorality in sharing meals with the unaccompanied children (street children). The governor organised a meal last year with the children to have special time with them such that he could directly discover the challenges facing them and the way forward. This should not be misunderstood as immoral as stated by Michael Akol Wek in his concocted article, unless, he (Michael Akol) is trying to deny the street children their rights. “
Achievements
Dhel noted that the governor had collaborated with the Episcopal Church of South Sudan in Apala, Aweil town through a transformation centre with 200 unaccompanied minors being looked after, and he added that the project was a fruit of the meals which were organised by the governor with the disadvantaged children in 2021, where he realised their challenges.
He reiterated that the governor had endeavoured since his appointment to champion various developmental activities, including the construction of a terminal in Aweil Airstrip, equipped with two lounges with a capacity of 150 seats, the construction of a standard mortuary, the renovation of internal roads, construction of bridges, renovation of the State Assembly Hall.
He added that the state government had also installed water yards in rural areas, renovated the building of the state secretariat, supplied sorghum to citizens, constructed a public pharmacy, constructed the new state ministry of education, and constructed the University of Northern Bahr el Ghazal among others.
“Therefore, with the above few mentioned and more other developmental projects which the government of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State under the able Governor Hon. Tong Akeen Ngor managed to accomplish in less than two years, the people of NBGs are still expecting to witness more developmental projects that will be achieved this year and in other years to come in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State under Hon. Governor Tong Akeen Ngor,” he said.
“I am kindly calling upon the people of NBGs in particular and people of South Sudan, in general, to fully disregard the claims cited by Michael Akol Wek against Hon. Governor Tong Akeen Ngor as baseless and unfounded accusations.”
He concluded that the governor was tirelessly working hard to the well-being of the people, and for peace, unity and maintenance of security, improved health and education to be key in the state.
Governor accused
Michael Akol Wek in a statement, accused the governor of Northern Bahl el Ghazal State, Tong Akeen Ngor, of running the state “on the basis of cronyism, clientelism, nepotism, nobility and plutocracy rather than meritocracy and welfarism for all citizens.”
“He encourages immorality by organising a launch on of street children, which motivates our children who are hungry and still remain at home to join their age mates who got privileges to eat in the same plate as the state flag bearer,” Akol wrote in his letter addressed to the President.
He called upon the President to appoint a new governor to replace the current government, in demand for service to the people.
“We need a governor who will promote our cultural heritage, unite people of NBeGS and advance SPLM party’s principles to remain relevant in the current political area rather than a self-centred public official that cares about himself and that of his close family members,” he claimed.
