NilePet staff demand removal of Managing Director amid contract termination allegations
Among the most explosive claims is that funds meant for salaries were redirected by senior operatives to undisclosed national programs.
By Ajah Jennifer
The Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilePet), South Sudan’s national oil company, is facing unprecedented internal unrest as over 55 employees were reportedly terminated recently, sparking widespread calls for the removal of the company’s Managing Director, Eng. Ayuel Ngor Kwocgor.
This drastic staff purge has been met with backlash from employees, many of whom allege that the dismissals were not based on performance or misconduct but rather aimed at silencing voices that have criticized the current leadership for months of unpaid salaries and alleged corruption.
A circular dated August 22, 2025, from the office of the Managing Director ordered the termination of over 55 staff members, including high-ranking officials such as the Vice Presidents for Greater Pioneer Operating Company and Sudd Petroleum Operating Company. The directive, which was disseminated to several department heads, did not explicitly list reasons for termination, further fueling speculation that the action was retaliation against those involved in recent strikes and protests.
In an exclusive interview with the City Review, Joseph Tong Mayok, Senior Human Resources Officer at NilePet, emphasized that the unrest is not simply a reaction to leadership but a response to a prolonged humanitarian and professional crisis. “We spent eight months without salaries,” he said. “People are frustrated. They have families, children who need to go to school, and basic needs that cannot be met. This is not sustainable.”
According to Tong, employees expressed their dissatisfaction on internal forums and social media, which later became the basis for retaliation. “Some staff printed out screenshots of frustrated comments and began lobbying for the removal of those who spoke out,” he explained, suggesting that a group within the company is manipulating internal discontent for political gain. “The people being fired are not just any staff,” said one anonymous source. “They come from all departments and different grades, which violates basic HR principles.”
In addition to grievances against the Managing Director, employees have raised serious allegations implicating senior government officials. Among the most explosive claims is that funds meant for salaries were redirected by senior operatives to undisclosed national programs.
“There are allegations that money meant for staff salaries has been reallocated for undisclosed programs,” the source added.
While these allegations remain unconfirmed, they reflect a growing mistrust among employees and a perception that the corporation’s resources are being mismanaged for political interests rather than national development.
Santino Nyuon Garang, the Chairperson of workers trade unions in Nilepet and General Service and Administration Officer criticised Ayuel Ngor Kwocgor for his continued recruitment of new staff, despite the corporation’s apparent inability to pay existing employees.
Santino said NilePet’s workforce has swelled from around 2,600 to over 5,600 under the new leadership. “If there is no money to pay salaries, why are more people being hired?” Santino asked. “Some of the new employees haven’t even received their first salary.”
Employees argue that this recruitment drive is not just fiscally irresponsible but potentially a strategy to reward allies or build a loyal base within the company. Santino emphasized that the core of the problem, lies in a failure of leadership. “This MD is not competent His removal is the solution to all these mess. He has failed to secure the basic thing that any company must guarantee—salaries.”
He argued that the Managing Director’s unilateral decision-making, lack of transparency, and disregard for internal policies have crippled the institution. “NilePet is supposed to be the commercial backbone of this country,” said Nyuon
“This isn’t just about 55 employees, but the future of a company that holds South Sudan’s economic lifeline.”
As tensions continue to rise, employees are calling not just for leadership change but for institutional reform. Many fear that unless systemic issues are addressed NilePet’s credibility and productivity will continue to decline, potentially leading to broader national instability.
